Employment & Legal

Sick Pay Calculator UK

Know your rights when illness keeps you from work. Calculate your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for 2024/25, and see exactly how much you'll receive and what you might lose.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 2024/25 — £116.75/week

Annual Salary (£)

Days Off Sick

SSP starts from day 4 (first 3 are unpaid "waiting days")

2024/25 SSP Rate

£116.75/week

£16.68/day × eligible days

SSP Key Rules

SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks per illness.

You must be off sick for at least 4 consecutive days.

Self-employed workers are not entitled to SSP.

Employers can offer enhanced sick pay on top of SSP.

SSP is taxable income and subject to National Insurance.

What is SSP?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum legal amount your employer must pay you if you're off sick. From April 2024, the rate is £116.75 per week. It's paid for up to 28 weeks, starting from day 4 of your illness.

SSP Eligibility

You must be classed as an employee (not self-employed).

You must have been ill for at least 4 days in a row.

You must earn at least £123/week (Lower Earnings Limit 2024/25).

You must have told your employer within 7 days.

FAQs

Why aren't the first 3 days paid?

The first three days of sickness are called 'waiting days' and are not covered by SSP. This discourages very short-term absences.

What if my employer pays more than SSP?

Many employers offer enhanced contractual sick pay (CSP), which provides full or partial salary for a period. This is governed by your employment contract.

Can I claim SSP if I'm self-employed?

No. SSP is only for employees. The self-employed may be eligible for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) instead.

What happens after 28 weeks?

After 28 weeks of SSP, you may be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from the government if you're unable to return to work.