188体育

You can get 拢116.75 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you鈥檙e too ill to work. It鈥檚 paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

You cannot get less than the statutory amount. You can get more if your company has a sick pay scheme (or 鈥榦ccupational scheme鈥�) - check your employment contract.

There鈥檚 a separate guide on Statutory Sick Pay if you鈥檙e an employer.

If you鈥檙e eligible, you can get 拢116.75 a week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks.

You鈥檒l be paid SSP for all the days you鈥檙e off sick that you normally would have worked, except for the first 3.

How you鈥檙e paid

SSP is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages, for example weekly or monthly.

Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

If you think you are not getting the right amount of SSP, talk to your employer. If you鈥檙e still not happy, contact the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enquiry line.

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you must:

• be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer
• earn an average of at least 拢123 per week
• have been ill for more than 3 days in a row (including non-working days)

Agency workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.

Telling your employer

You must usually tell your employer you鈥檙e unable to work before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one).

You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer in time.

Exceptions

You will not qualify if you:

• have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks)
• are getting Statutory Maternity Pay

You can still qualify if you started your job recently and you have not received 8 weeks鈥� pay yet. Ask your employer to find out more.

Linked periods of sickness

If you have regular periods of sickness, they may count as 鈥榣inked鈥�. To be linked, the periods must:

• last more than 3 days in a row
• be 8 weeks or less apart

You鈥檙e no longer eligible for SSP if you have a continuous series of linked periods that lasts more than 3 years.

Fit notes and asking for proof

You must give your employer a fit note if you鈥檙e off work for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days).

You can get a fit note (sometimes called a sick note) from the following healthcare professionals:

• GP or hospital doctor

• registered nurse

• occupational therapist

• pharmacist

• physiotherapist

The note can be printed or digital.

Other proof of sickness

If your employer agrees, you can get a similar document from a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead of a fit note. This is called an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report.

A physiotherapist or occupational therapist will give you either a fit note or an AHP Health and Work Report depending on your needs.

If you鈥檙e not eligible or your SSP ends

You may be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You can use form SSP1 to support your application.

If your SSP is ending your employer must send you form SSP1 either:

• within 7 days of your SSP ending, if it ends unexpectedly while you鈥檙e still sick
• on or before the beginning of the 23rd week, if your SSP is expected to end before your sickness does

If you do not qualify for SSP your employer must send you form SSP1 within 7 days of your first day off sick.

To claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), tell your employer by the deadline.

Check with your employer how you should tell them. If your employer needs something in writing you can use form SC2.

If you鈥檙e unhappy with a decision

Talk to your employer if you think:

• their decision not to pay you SSP is wrong
• you鈥檙e not getting the right amount of SSP

You can ask them for a reason.

If this does not sort the problem, contact the HMRC Statutory Payment Disputes Team.