Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a UK Government policy to ensure eligible employees are paid when they are off sick. This policy means that it is a legal requirement for employers to pay any staff who are off sick under certain conditions.
Who is eligible for Statutory Sick Pay?
To be eligible for SSP from your employer you must meet the following requirements:
- Be classified as an employee and actually completed some work
- Earn an average of £120 per week or more – this is before tax
- Been absent from work for at least 4 days in a row – this can include non-working days
How much is Statutory Sick Pay?
If you are on SSP you can get £96.35 per week. If you are on long term sickness, then Statutory Sick Pay can be paid for up to 28 weeks.
You will start to get SSP from the 4th day that you are off sick. The first three days that you are off sick do not normally have to be paid. There are some exceptions to this rule as a result of the COVID pandemic. If you are off because you are self isolating, then you can get SSP from the first day.
How do you claim SSP from your employer?
You don’t need to do anything specific to claim your SSP. Simply follow your company absence policy and tell your employer when you are unable to work.
If you are off sick for more than 7 days, you may need to give your employer a fit note. You will be able to get this from your GP or from a hospital doctor. Your employer may also except an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report. These are provided by Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Podiatrists.
If you are self-isolating because of coronavirus, you can get an Isolation Note from the NHS by calling 111 if you are off work for more than 7 days. If the NHS track and trace, or some other NHS notification informs you that you need to isolate, then this notification will act as proof and you do not need to get an Isolation Note.
Are there any reasons SSP wont be paid?
There are a couple of reasons that might stop you getting SSP. These reasons are that you:
- Have already had 28 weeks of SSP
- Are getting Statutory Maternity Pay.
- Are self-isolating only because you have just entered the UK and not for any symptom
