SSP Calculator: How Is Statutory Sick Pay Calculated?
Use this interactive calculator to determine your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlement based on your earnings and absence period. Updated for 2024 UK regulations.
Minimum £123/week to qualify for SSP
Minimum 4 consecutive days (including non-working days)
Your SSP Calculation Results
Comprehensive Guide: How Is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Calculated in the UK?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a legal requirement for UK employers to provide financial support to employees who are unable to work due to illness. Understanding how SSP is calculated ensures you receive the correct entitlement during periods of sickness absence.
1. Eligibility Criteria for SSP
To qualify for SSP, you must meet the following conditions:
- Be classified as an employee (including agency workers under certain conditions)
- Have earned at least £123 per week (before tax) – this is the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) for 2024/25
- Have been sick for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days like weekends)
- Provide proper notice to your employer (usually within 7 days or their specified timeframe)
- Not be receiving Statutory Maternity Pay or certain other state benefits
2. The SSP Calculation Formula
The current weekly rate for SSP is £116.75 (as of April 2024). This is how the calculation works:
- Determine qualifying days: These are the days you normally work (e.g., Monday-Friday for standard office workers)
- Identify the “period of incapacity for work” (PIW): This begins on the first day of sickness and continues until you’re fit to return to work (minimum 4 consecutive days)
- Calculate waiting days: SSP is payable from the 4th qualifying day of sickness (unless your employer offers enhanced sick pay)
- Apply the daily rate: Divide the weekly rate by the number of qualifying days in your work week
- Determine payment period: SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks in any 3-year period
3. Step-by-Step Calculation Example
Let’s examine a practical example for an employee earning £600/week with a Monday-Friday work pattern:
| Scenario | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly earnings | £600 (above £123 LEL) | ✅ Eligible |
| Sickness period | 10 calendar days (Monday-Tuesday next week) | 8 qualifying days |
| Waiting days | First 3 qualifying days | No payment |
| Payable days | 8 total – 3 waiting = 5 days | 5 days |
| Daily SSP rate | £116.75 ÷ 5 qualifying days | £23.35/day |
| Total SSP | 5 days × £23.35 | £116.75 |
4. Key Factors Affecting SSP Calculations
Earnings Threshold
Must earn ≥ £123/week (2024/25)
This is 85% of the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit
Qualifying Days
Only counts your normal working days
Weekends/bank holidays don’t count unless you normally work
Linked Periods
Separate sickness periods ≤ 8 weeks apart are linked
Affects the 28-week maximum payment period
5. Common SSP Calculation Scenarios
| Employee Type | Work Pattern | SSP Calculation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (37.5 hrs) | Monday-Friday | Standard calculation using 5 qualifying days. Daily rate = £116.75 ÷ 5 = £23.35 |
| Part-time (20 hrs) | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 3 qualifying days. Daily rate = £116.75 ÷ 3 = £38.92 (but capped at weekly max) |
| Shift worker | Varies (e.g., 4-on/4-off) | Qualifying days are actual scheduled work days. Complex patterns may require manual calculation. |
| Zero-hours contract | Irregular hours | Must average ≥£123/week over 8 weeks. Qualifying days based on typical working pattern. |
| Agency worker | Temporary assignments | Eligible if treated as employee for NI purposes. Must meet £123/week threshold per assignment. |
6. Recent Changes to SSP Regulations
The UK government has made several important updates to SSP rules:
- April 2024 increase: Weekly rate rose from £109.40 to £116.75 (6.7% increase)
- COVID-19 provisions: Temporary rules allowing SSP from day 1 (instead of day 4) ended in March 2022
- Fit note reforms: Since July 2022, fit notes can be issued digitally and by a wider range of healthcare professionals
- Mental health recognition: Guidance updated to explicitly include mental health conditions as valid reasons for sickness absence
Important Government Resources
For official information about SSP calculations:
7. Frequently Asked Questions About SSP Calculations
What happens if my earnings vary week to week?
For employees with variable earnings, employers should calculate the average over the 8 weeks prior to your sickness (or however long you’ve been employed if less than 8 weeks). This average must meet or exceed the £123 Lower Earnings Limit.
Can I get SSP if I’m self-employed?
No, self-employed individuals cannot claim SSP. However, you may be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions. The current ESA rate is £81.90 per week for the assessment phase (2024/25).
What if my employer pays more than SSP?
Many employers offer occupational sick pay that’s more generous than SSP. This is often called “contractual sick pay” and the terms should be in your employment contract. Common enhanced schemes pay:
- Full pay for 1-2 weeks, then half pay for 2-4 weeks
- Full pay for 1 month, then SSP rate
- Graduated schemes based on length of service
Your employer cannot pay less than SSP if you qualify, but they can pay more.
How does SSP work with furlough or layoffs?
If you’re on furlough (under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme) and become sick:
- You’re entitled to SSP if you meet the eligibility criteria
- Your employer can claim back SSP costs from the government
- Furlough pay (80% of wages) and SSP cannot be paid simultaneously – you receive whichever is higher
For layoffs, you typically wouldn’t qualify for SSP unless you were sick before the layoff period began.
8. How to Challenge Incorrect SSP Calculations
If you believe your employer has calculated your SSP incorrectly:
- Check your payslips: Verify the SSP payments match your entitlement
- Request a breakdown: Ask your employer for their calculation methodology
- Use HMRC’s calculator: Compare with the official SSP calculator
- Raise a grievance: Follow your workplace grievance procedure
- Contact ACAS: The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service offers free advice (0300 123 1100)
- Consider legal action: For unresolved disputes, you may need to make a claim to an employment tribunal
⚠️ Important Warning
Fraudulently claiming SSP is a criminal offence. You must:
- Be genuinely sick (self-certification for first 7 days, then fit note required)
- Follow your employer’s sickness reporting procedures
- Not work while receiving SSP (including for another employer)
- Inform your employer if you recover before the expected return date
Penalties for fraud can include repayment of all SSP received, fines, and in serious cases, prosecution.
9. Future of SSP: Proposed Reforms
The government has consulted on several potential changes to SSP:
Potential Changes
- Remove waiting days: Pay SSP from day 1 of sickness
- Increase rate: Align with National Living Wage (currently £11.44/hr for 21+)
- Extend to more workers: Include those earning below LEL (£123/week)
- Simplify administration: Digital-first reporting system
Implementation Challenges
- Cost to employers: Estimated £2-4 billion annual increase
- Small business impact: Particularly for sectors with high staff turnover
- Fraud prevention: Need for robust verification systems
- Phased approach: Likely gradual implementation if approved
According to a 2023 Parliamentary report, 1.8 million workers don’t qualify for SSP due to low earnings, with women and part-time workers disproportionately affected.
10. Alternative Support If You Don’t Qualify for SSP
If you’re not eligible for SSP, consider these alternatives:
| Option | Eligibility | Payment Amount (2024/25) | How to Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Low income, under State Pension age | Up to £368.74/month (standard allowance) | Online via GOV.UK |
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | Illness/health condition affects work capability | Up to £81.90/week (assessment phase) | Phone: 0800 055 6688 or online |
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | Long-term health condition/disability | £28.70-£184.30/week (depending on severity) | Form available from GOV.UK |
| Local welfare assistance | Varies by council, usually in crisis situations | Typically £100-£500 one-off payment | Contact your local council |
| Charitable grants | Depends on specific charity criteria | Varies (typically £100-£2,000) | Search via Turn2Us |
Need Personalized Advice?
For complex SSP situations or disputes with your employer, consider:
ACAS Helpline
0300 123 1100
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