What changed with SSP in April 2026?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced significant SSP reforms from April 2026. The three waiting days have been abolished, so SSP is now payable from the first day of sickness. The lower earnings limit has also been removed, meaning all employees qualify for SSP regardless of their earnings level. The weekly rate is now the lower of GBP 123.25 or 80% of average weekly earnings.

How much is SSP per week in 2026-27?

SSP is GBP 123.25 per week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. This means lower-paid workers receive a proportional amount rather than the flat rate. For someone earning GBP 100 per week, SSP would be GBP 80 (80% of GBP 100) rather than the full GBP 123.25.

How long can I receive SSP?

SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks in a single period of incapacity for work. After 28 weeks, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit. If you return to work and then fall sick again within 8 weeks, the two periods are linked and count towards the same 28-week maximum.

Do I still need to be off for 4 days to get SSP?

No. Under the reformed rules from April 2026, the three waiting days have been abolished. SSP is payable from the first qualifying day you are off sick. You no longer need to be absent for at least 4 consecutive days before SSP kicks in.

Can my employer pay more than SSP?

Yes. Many employers offer contractual sick pay (also called occupational sick pay) that is more generous than SSP. This could be full pay for a set number of weeks, followed by reduced pay, then SSP. Check your employment contract or staff handbook for details of your employer sick pay scheme.

SSP Calculator

Calculate UK Statutory Sick Pay using reformed April 2026 rules

Updated for 2026/27 tax year

Published by UltraCalculatorsLast reviewed: 31 Mar 2026Sources:GOV.UK Statutory Sick Pay ACAS Statutory Sick Pay guidanceEditorial PolicyEstimates only. Always consult a qualified professional.Report an issue

This calculator uses reformed SSP rules effective from April 2026 under the Employment Rights Act 2025. No waiting days apply and there is no lower earnings limit. Your employer may offer contractual sick pay above SSP.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount UK employers must pay employees who are too ill to work. From April 2026, SSP has been significantly reformed under the Employment Rights Act 2025, making it more accessible and generous for workers. The key changes are the removal of waiting days and the abolition of the lower earnings limit. Under the reformed rules, SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, replacing the previous system where employees had to wait three days before receiving any sick pay. Additionally, all employees now qualify for SSP regardless of their earnings level, removing the previous requirement to earn at least GBP 123 per week. The weekly SSP rate is the lower of GBP 123.25 or 80% of your average weekly earnings, for up to 28 weeks. These reforms represent the most significant changes to SSP since its introduction and are designed to ensure that lower-paid workers, who are most likely to face financial hardship during illness, receive support from day one. This calculator uses the current reformed 2026-27 rules to calculate your SSP entitlement.

How to Use This Calculator

To use the SSP calculator: 1. Enter your average weekly earnings (AWE). This determines whether you receive the full SSP rate of GBP 123.25 or 80% of your AWE (whichever is lower). Under the reformed rules, all earnings levels qualify for SSP. 2. Enter the number of days you expect to be (or have been) off sick. The maximum SSP period is 28 weeks, which is 196 days for a 7-day working week or 140 days for a 5-day working week. 3. Enter your working days per week. This is the number of qualifying days in your work pattern. For a standard full-time worker, this is 5 days. Part-time workers should enter their actual working days. 4. Review the results showing your weekly SSP, daily SSP, total SSP for the entire sick period, number of weeks covered, and the monthly equivalent. 5. Remember that your employer may offer contractual sick pay above SSP. Check your employment contract or staff handbook.

How It Works

SSP Calculation (Reformed April 2026 Rules): Key rates for 2026-27: - SSP weekly rate: GBP 123.25 - AWE rate: 80% - Maximum period: 28 weeks No waiting days: SSP starts from day 1 of sickness (reformed rule) No lower earnings limit: All employees qualify (reformed rule) Weekly SSP = lower of GBP 123.25 or (AWE x 80%) Daily SSP = Weekly SSP / Working Days Per Week Qualifying Days = Total Sick Days (no waiting days to subtract) Payable Days = minimum of (Qualifying Days, 28 weeks x Working Days) Total SSP = Daily SSP x Payable Days Monthly Equivalent = Weekly SSP x 52 / 12 Example for AWE GBP 400, 10 days off, 5-day week: Weekly SSP = lower of GBP 123.25 or (GBP 400 x 0.8 = GBP 320) = GBP 123.25 Daily SSP = GBP 123.25 / 5 = GBP 24.65 Total SSP = GBP 24.65 x 10 = GBP 246.50

Worked Examples

Example 1: Full-time worker earning GBP 400/week, 10 days off

Inputs: AWE: GBP 400, Days off sick: 10, Working days per week: 5

80% of AWE: GBP 400 x 0.8 = GBP 320
Weekly SSP: lower of GBP 123.25 or GBP 320 = GBP 123.25 (capped)
Daily SSP: GBP 123.25 / 5 = GBP 24.65
No waiting days (reformed rules) - SSP from day 1
Total SSP: GBP 24.65 x 10 days = GBP 246.50
Weeks of SSP: 2 weeks

Result: Weekly SSP: GBP 123.25. Total for 10 days: GBP 246.50

Example 2: Lower-paid worker earning GBP 100/week, 5 days off

Inputs: AWE: GBP 100, Days off sick: 5, Working days per week: 5

80% of AWE: GBP 100 x 0.8 = GBP 80
Weekly SSP: lower of GBP 123.25 or GBP 80 = GBP 80 (80% rate applies)
Daily SSP: GBP 80 / 5 = GBP 16
Under reformed rules, this worker qualifies despite low earnings
Total SSP: GBP 16 x 5 days = GBP 80

Result: Weekly SSP: GBP 80 (80% of AWE). Total for 5 days: GBP 80

Example 3: Long-term sickness, maximum 28-week period

Inputs: AWE: GBP 500, Days off sick: 196 (max), Working days per week: 5

80% of AWE: GBP 500 x 0.8 = GBP 400
Weekly SSP: lower of GBP 123.25 or GBP 400 = GBP 123.25 (capped)
Daily SSP: GBP 123.25 / 5 = GBP 24.65
Maximum payable days: 28 weeks x 5 days = 140 days
Total SSP: GBP 24.65 x 140 = GBP 3,451
After 28 weeks, consider Employment and Support Allowance

Result: Maximum SSP over 28 weeks: GBP 3,451

The April 2026 SSP reforms were introduced through the Employment Rights Act 2025 and represent a major improvement for workers. Previously, employees had to wait three days (known as "waiting days") before receiving any SSP, and those earning below GBP 123 per week did not qualify at all. The new system ensures all employees receive support from their first day of illness. If your employer offers contractual sick pay (also called occupational sick pay), it will typically be more generous than SSP. Common schemes offer full pay for a set number of weeks, followed by half pay, then SSP. Your employment contract or staff handbook will detail your specific entitlement. For workers who exhaust their 28 weeks of SSP, the next step is usually Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit. Our Maternity Pay Calculator covers statutory maternity pay entitlements, the Take Home Pay Calculator helps you understand your reduced income during illness, and the Salary Calculator shows how SSP compares to your normal earnings. The National Insurance Calculator can help you understand NI contributions during periods of SSP.