Statutory Sick Pay Calculator 2025/26
Calculate your statutory sick pay (SSP) entitlement for 2025/26 — how much you’ll receive, how long you can receive it, and what happens when SSP runs out.
SSP rules in 2025/26
Statutory Sick Pay is paid by employers at £116.75 per week from 6 April 2025. To qualify, you must be an employee (not self-employed), be ill for at least 4 consecutive days including non-working days, and earn at least £123 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit) on average over the 8 weeks before you fell ill.
The first 3 qualifying days (called “waiting days”) are not paid — SSP starts from the 4th day of illness. The maximum SSP payment period is 28 weeks in any period of incapacity. SSP is taxable and counts as income for benefits purposes.
Weekly rate: £116.75 · Daily rate: £116.75 ÷ days you work per week · Waiting days: 3 (not paid) · Maximum period: 28 weeks · Lower Earnings Limit (to qualify): £123/week · Linked periods: If you return to work for 8 weeks or less then fall ill again, it’s treated as the same sickness period
What happens after SSP runs out?
When SSP ends (or if you weren’t eligible), you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you’ve paid enough NI contributions in the previous two tax years. The standard allowance is lower than SSP — around £90/week in the assessment phase. Universal Credit may also be available depending on your household income and savings. Your employer must give you an SSP1 form when SSP ends, which you need to claim ESA.
