Pay from your employer when you're too ill to work, for up to 28 weeks.
Many people who are entitled to support never claim it. Check who qualifies, how much you could get and how to make your claim through the official channel.
The rules depend on where you live in the UK and on your household’s circumstances.
What Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) offers
- Paid by employer: Your employer pays SSP like wages.
- Company sick pay: You may get more under your employer's scheme.
- Fit note: After 7 days you'll need a fit note.
- Switch to other help: If SSP ends you may be able to claim New Style ESA or Universal Credit.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | Employees who are too ill to work |
| How much | £123.25 a week or 80% of normal weekly earnings, whichever is lower (2026/27) |
| How long | Up to 28 weeks |
| How it's paid | By your employer through payroll |
| How to claim | Tell your employer by their deadline, or within 7 days |
Key points
Paid by employer: Your employer pays SSP like wages.
Company sick pay: You may get more under your employer's scheme.
Fit note: After 7 days you'll need a fit note.
About Your employer (rules set by HMRC)
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is run by Your employer (rules set by HMRC). Claims are made free of charge through the official government channel.
We explain the rules independently and then send you to the official page to claim. We are not a government website.
Amounts and rules can change. The decision on your claim is made by Your employer (rules set by HMRC).