UK Sick Pay
Calculator 2026/27
Find out how much Statutory Sick Pay you are entitled to, whether you qualify, and how many days must pass before SSP begins.
Must be at least £123 to qualify for SSP
How does Statutory Sick Pay work?
SSP is paid by your employer when you are too ill to work. The rate for 2026/27 is £116.75 per week — equivalent to £23.35 per working day on a five-day week. SSP does not start from day one; the first three qualifying days are called waiting days and are not paid.
SSP is paid per qualifying day — a day you were contracted to work. If you work four days a week, your daily SSP rate is £116.75 ÷ 4 = £29.19 per qualifying day.
Qualifying earnings threshold
Your average weekly earnings must be at least £123 (the Lower Earnings Limit) to be eligible for SSP. If you earn less, you do not qualify under the statutory scheme, though you should speak to your employer as some pay occupational sick pay from their own funds.
What happens after 28 weeks?
SSP is available for a maximum of 28 weeks per period of sickness. If you are still unable to work after 28 weeks, your employer must give you an SSP1 form and you can then claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from the government.
Related calculators
Your SSP entitlement depends on your normal earnings — use the main salary calculator to confirm your weekly gross figure. The take home pay calculator shows the difference between your normal net pay and SSP. Checking whether your pay meets the qualifying threshold? Our minimum wage calculator verifies your hourly rate. If your illness follows a pregnancy, our maternity pay calculator covers SMP which takes over after SSP. Facing a long-term absence that might lead to redundancy? Our redundancy pay calculator shows your statutory entitlement. For tax on any sick pay above SSP, our income tax calculator shows the position.
Frequently asked questions
The Statutory Sick Pay rate for 2026/27 is £116.75 per week. It is paid from the fourth qualifying day of sickness (after three unpaid waiting days) for up to 28 weeks. The daily rate depends on how many days a week you work — divide £116.75 by your contracted days per week.
SSP does not start on day one of absence. The first three qualifying days (days you are contracted to work) are unpaid waiting days. SSP begins from the fourth qualifying day. Many employers pay occupational sick pay from day one under their own policy, on top of or instead of SSP.
You qualify for SSP if you are employed (not self-employed), you have been sick for at least 4 days in a row including non-working days (called a Period of Incapacity for Work), and your average weekly earnings are at least £123. Self-employed people do not qualify for SSP but may be able to claim ESA.
SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks in a single period of incapacity. After 28 weeks, your employer must issue an SSP1 form and SSP stops. You can then apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you recover and return to work and fall ill again after 8 weeks, a new entitlement period begins.