Statutory sick pay · 2026/27 rates

How much will you get while you are off?

Statutory sick pay is the least your employer can pay you when you are too ill to work. It runs for up to twenty-eight weeks, and since April 2026 it starts from the first qualifying day rather than the fourth.

Work it out

What you earn, and how long you are off

  1. Averaged over the eight weeks before you went off
  2. Every day in the run, including the days you would not have worked
  3. Sick pay is paid per working day, so a shorter week means a higher daily rate for the same weekly total.

Track it

A record of the days you have been off

Track your sick leave periods and monitor SSP eligibility

Add a period

The end

When the twenty-eight weeks run out

Calculate when your SSP period ends and plan your return

Work out the end date

The rules

Who gets it, and what it is worth

Sick Pay Calculator is a free online tool that helps UK employees and employers calculate Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlements quickly and accurately.

Who it is for

  • Employees who need to understand their SSP entitlement during illness
  • Employers calculating SSP payments for staff members
  • HR professionals managing sick pay calculations
  • Anyone wanting to understand UK sick pay rights and rates

How it works

  • Enter your details: Input your average weekly earnings and number of sick days
  • Check eligibility: See instantly if you qualify for SSP based on current UK rules
  • Get your calculation: Receive a detailed breakdown showing qualifying days, daily rate, and total SSP
  • Save scenarios: Compare different sick leave scenarios using the history feature
  • Track sick leave: Monitor multiple periods of sick leave throughout the year
  • Calculate return dates: Find out when you'll be back at work after sick leave

Privacy: All calculations happen in your browser. We don't store or transmit your sick pay data.

In detail

Statutory sick pay in full

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount employers must pay employees who are too ill to work.

The rate for 2026/27

£123.25 per week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings — whichever is lower — for up to 28 weeks

Both arms of that test always apply. If you normally earn £140 a week, 80% of your earnings is £112, so your SSP is £112 a week — not £123.25.

What you have to meet

  • You must be classed as an employee (not self-employed)
  • You must have done some work for your employer
  • You must have been ill for at least one full working day
  • You must have told your employer within their deadline (usually within 7 days)

There is no minimum earnings threshold for SSP. The Lower Earnings Limit test was abolished on 6 April 2026, so low earners who used to be turned away now qualify.

How it is worked out

  • SSP is paid from the first qualifying day — the three unpaid "waiting days" were abolished on 6 April 2026
  • SSP is paid for the days you would normally work (your "qualifying days")
  • Your weekly amount is divided by the number of qualifying days you work
  • For a five-day worker on the full rate, that is £24.65 per day. If 80% of your earnings comes to less than £123.25, your daily rate is lower
  • SSP is subject to tax and National Insurance like normal pay

How long it lasts

You can get SSP for up to 28 weeks (about 6 months). After that, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Important: Your employer may pay more than SSP (called "contractual" or "company" sick pay). Check your employment contract or speak to your HR department.

When you will not get it

  • You've already received 28 weeks of SSP from your employer
  • You're receiving Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
  • You didn't tell your employer in time or provide proof of sickness if required
  • You're in custody or doing work during your sick leave

Proving you were ill

For sickness lasting:

  • Up to 7 days: You can usually self-certify (no doctor's note needed)
  • More than 7 days: You'll need a fit note (previously called a sick note) from your doctor