Precision Utility
UK Sick Pay
Calculator
SSP Weekly Rate
£116.75
Max Duration
28 weeks
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) calculator built for UK employees. Enter the number of days you have been off sick, your normal working pattern and whether you meet the earnings threshold to instantly calculate your SSP entitlement. The calculator uses the 2025/26 SSP rate of £116.75 per week, accounts for the 3 waiting days and caps at the maximum 28-week period.
Your Details
Total Statutory Sick Pay
£0.00
SSP Weekly Rate
£0.00
SSP Daily Rate
£0.00
Waiting Days
0
Paid Days
0
Total Days Off
0 days
Duration in Weeks
0 weeks
Qualifying Days
0 days
Eligible for SSP
Yes
How the sick pay calculator works
Enter the total number of calendar days you have been (or expect to be) off sick, the number of days you normally work each week, and confirm whether you earn at least £123 per week before tax. The calculator uses these inputs to work out your Statutory Sick Pay entitlement under HMRC rules for the 2025/26 tax year.
SSP is paid only on qualifying days — these are the days you would normally be required to work. The first 3 qualifying days of any period of sickness are waiting days, during which no SSP is paid. From the 4th qualifying day onwards, SSP is paid at the flat rate of £116.75 per week.
The daily SSP rate is calculated by dividing the weekly rate (£116.75) by the number of qualifying days in your working week. For example, if you work 5 days per week, your daily SSP rate is £23.35. SSP can be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks in any single period of incapacity for work.
The calculator converts your total sick days into qualifying days based on your working pattern, deducts the 3 waiting days, and multiplies the remaining paid days by your daily SSP rate to give your total entitlement.
What you need to know about Statutory Sick Pay
Statutory Sick Pay is a legal entitlement paid by your employer when you are too ill to work. It is not a benefit — it comes from your employer as part of your normal pay. The key rules for the 2025/26 tax year are:
- SSP rate: £116.75 per week — this is a flat rate regardless of your normal earnings
- Lower Earnings Limit: you must earn at least £123 per week on average to qualify
- Waiting days: the first 3 qualifying days of sickness are unpaid
- Maximum duration: SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks per period of sickness
- Qualifying days: only the days you normally work count — weekends or rest days do not
- Fit note: for absences over 7 days, your employer can ask for a fit note from your GP
If you are not eligible for SSP — for example, because you earn below the threshold or have exhausted your 28 weeks — you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead.
For the latest statutory rates and guidance, see the official GOV.UK Statutory Sick Pay page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSP rate for 2025/26?
The Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rate for the 2025/26 tax year is £116.75 per week. This is the flat rate paid to all eligible employees regardless of their normal earnings, provided they earn at least £123 per week before tax.
Who qualifies for Statutory Sick Pay?
To qualify for SSP you must be classed as an employee and earn an average of at least £123 per week before tax (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26). You must have been off sick for at least 4 days in a row, including non-working days. Agency workers and some employees on short contracts may not qualify.
What are waiting days for SSP?
Waiting days are the first 3 qualifying days of your sickness absence during which no SSP is paid. Qualifying days are the days you normally work. SSP is only paid from the 4th qualifying day onwards. If you have linked periods of sickness within 8 weeks, you do not serve waiting days again.
How long does SSP last?
SSP is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks per period of sickness. After 28 weeks, SSP stops and you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead. Your employer must send you form SSP1 at least 4 weeks before your SSP is due to end.
Can I receive SSP alongside other benefits?
SSP counts as earnings, so it can affect means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. However, you cannot receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at the same time as SSP. Once SSP ends after 28 weeks, you can then apply for ESA or other benefits.
What is the difference between employer sick pay and SSP?
SSP is the legal minimum your employer must pay when you are off sick. Many employers offer their own contractual sick pay scheme, often called occupational or company sick pay, which may pay more than SSP — sometimes your full salary for a set number of weeks. Contractual sick pay usually includes SSP within it rather than being paid on top. Check your employment contract for details.