Statutory Sick Pay calculator 2026/27
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum your employer pays when you are too ill to work. Since 6 April 2026 it is paid from your first full day off sick, and there is no longer a minimum earnings level.
Enter your average weekly earnings, the days you normally work and how many working days you are off to see what you get.
How it's calculated
- Your weekly SSP is £123.25 or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
- It is split across your qualifying days, which are the days you normally work. With 5 qualifying days, each day is one fifth of the weekly rate.
- It is paid for up to 28 weeks for the same period of sickness.
An example
If you earn £500 a week and are off for 2 working weeks, you get £246.50. On 7 qualifying days the daily rate is £17.61.
Frequently asked questions
Are there still waiting days?
No. From 6 April 2026 SSP is paid from the first full day you are off sick. Before that date, the first 3 days were unpaid.
Do I need to earn a minimum to get SSP?
Not any more. The Lower Earnings Limit was removed on 6 April 2026. Lower earners now get 80% of their average weekly earnings instead of the flat rate.
Is SSP taxed?
Yes. It is paid through payroll, so Income Tax and National Insurance come off like normal pay.
Can my employer pay more than SSP?
Yes. Many employers have a company sick pay scheme. It cannot be less than SSP.
Key terms
- Qualifying days
- The days you normally work. SSP is only paid for these days.
- Average weekly earnings
- Your average gross pay per week, usually over the 8 weeks before you went off sick.
Up-to-date official data
Data checked against the official source on .
We check the official sources automatically, every day.
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