Statutory sick pay changed fundamentally on 6 April 2026. It is now payable from the first day of absence, there is no longer an earnings threshold to qualify, and the amount is the lower of the weekly rate or 80% of your average weekly earnings.
Most guidance still online describes the old system — a flat weekly rate with three unpaid waiting days and a Lower Earnings Limit. If a figure you have been given assumes waiting days, it is out of date.
How to use the statutory sick pay calculator
- Enter your average weekly earnings Gross, averaged over the eight weeks before the absence began. This now matters to the amount, not just to whether you qualify.
- Enter your qualifying days The days you normally work under your contract. SSP is divided across these, so someone working three days a week gets a higher daily rate than someone working five.
- Enter the days you were off Count only qualifying days. Every one is paid — there are no waiting days from April 2026.
- Check against your contract Many employers pay contractual sick pay above the statutory minimum. SSP is the floor, not the expectation.
Worked examples
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £100 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £160 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £130 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £120 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £140 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get working 2 days a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get earning £154 a week?
- How much statutory sick pay do you get working 3 days a week?
Common questions
What changed in April 2026?
Three things. SSP is payable from day one rather than day four. The Lower Earnings Limit was removed, so low earners now qualify. And the amount became the lower of the weekly rate or 80% of average weekly earnings, rather than a flat rate for everyone.
Do I still have three waiting days?
No. Unpaid waiting days were abolished from 6 April 2026. Any calculator or guidance still applying them is describing the previous system.
How long can I claim SSP for?
Up to 28 weeks in total, including intermittent absences where they are linked. If your entitlement runs out before you return, your employer should issue form SSP1 so you can claim other support.
What are qualifying days?
The days you normally work under your contract. SSP is divided across them, so the daily rate depends on your working pattern rather than being the same for everyone.
Do I need a fit note?
You can self-certify for the first seven days. After that your employer can ask for a fit note from a healthcare professional.
Does my employer have to pay more?
Only if your contract says so. Many employers operate a contractual sick pay scheme paying full or half pay for a period, with SSP underneath it.
Guides on this subject
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Statutory sick pay: the April 2026 rules explained
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