How much is SSP in 2025/26?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is £116.75 per week in the 2025/26 tax year. It's paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. You must earn at least £123 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit) to qualify. SSP is paid for qualifying days (usually Monday–Friday) after 3 waiting days — so you get nothing for the first 3 days of sickness. Many employers offer enhanced company sick pay above SSP, which varies by employer. SSP is taxable and counts towards your NI contributions.

Can I be sacked for being off sick?

It's not automatically unfair to dismiss someone who is off sick, but your employer must follow a fair process. They should: try to understand your condition and prognosis, consider reasonable adjustments (especially if your condition counts as a disability under the Equality Act 2010), hold welfare meetings with you, get occupational health advice if appropriate, give you reasonable time to recover, and follow their sickness absence policy. If your condition is a disability, dismissal without considering reasonable adjustments could be disability discrimination. If you've been employed for 2+ years, you have full unfair dismissal protection.

Do I need a fit note from day one?

No. For the first 7 calendar days of illness, you can self-certify — your employer cannot insist on a fit note (doctor's note). From day 8 onwards, you need a fit note from a GP, hospital doctor, or other approved healthcare professional. Since July 2022, fit notes can also be issued by nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists. Fit notes can say you're either 'not fit for work' or 'may be fit for work' with adjustments (phased return, amended duties, altered hours, or workplace adaptations). Your employer can ask you to fill in a self-certification form for the first 7 days.

What if SSP runs out?

SSP is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. After that, you may be able to claim: Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have enough NI contributions (contributory ESA) or are on a low income (income-related ESA), Universal Credit (which has a limited capability for work element), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if your condition affects daily living or mobility — PIP is not means-tested and you can claim it while working. Your employer's occupational sick pay scheme (if they have one) may continue beyond 28 weeks. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice for help with benefits.

Sick Leave Rights UK — SSP, Company Sick Pay & Returning to Work | PocketWise

Sick Leave Rights UK — SSP, Company Sick Pay & Returning to Work

Your rights to sick leave and sick pay in the UK, including SSP rates, qualifying conditions, company sick pay, fit notes, and what happens if you're off long-term.

By PocketWise · 25 March 2026 · 5 min read

Understanding your sick leave rights protects you when you’re unwell. Here’s what you’re entitled to in the UK.

At a Glance — Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) 2025/26

Feature	Detail
SSP rate	£116.75 per week
Paid by	Your employer
Duration	Up to 28 weeks
Waiting days	First 3 qualifying days are unpaid
Minimum earnings	Must earn at least £123/week (Lower Earnings Limit)
Qualifying days	Days you normally work (usually Mon–Fri)
Taxable	Yes — SSP is subject to income tax and NI
Fit note required	From day 8 of illness (self-certify for days 1–7)

Who Qualifies for SSP

Requirement	Detail
Employee or agency worker	Self-employed, directors without employment contracts, and some agency workers don’t qualify
Earning at least £123/week	Below this threshold, you can’t get SSP
Sick for at least 4 consecutive days	Including non-working days (e.g., weekends)
Notified employer	Within your employer’s notification deadline (or within 7 days if none specified)
Not already receiving SSP for 28 weeks	SSP stops at 28 weeks

Who Doesn’t Qualify

Group	Alternative
Self-employed	No SSP — claim ESA or Universal Credit
Earning under £123/week	Claim ESA or Universal Credit
On maternity leave	Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance continues
Already had 28 weeks of SSP	Claim ESA or Universal Credit
Within first 3 waiting days	Company sick pay may cover this (employer dependent)

SSP vs Company Sick Pay

Feature	SSP	Company (occupational) sick pay
Rate	£116.75/week	Varies — often full pay for a period, then half pay
Duration	28 weeks	Varies by employer — typically 3–6 months full pay
Who sets the rules	Government	Your employer (check your contract)
Minimum standard	SSP is the legal minimum	Must be at least SSP
Waiting days	3 days	Often none (many employers pay from day 1)

Typical Company Sick Pay Policies

Service length	Full pay period	Half pay period
Under 1 year	1 month	1 month
1–3 years	2 months	2 months
3–5 years	3 months	3 months
5+ years	6 months	6 months

These are examples — your employer’s policy may differ. Check your contract or employee handbook.

Fit Notes

Feature	Detail
Needed from	Day 8 of illness
Issued by	GP, hospital doctor, nurse, pharmacist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist
Two categories	“Not fit for work” or “May be fit for work” (with adjustments)
Duration	GP decides — can be days, weeks, or months
Cost	Free from the NHS
Self-certification	For days 1–7 — use your employer’s form or write a statement

“May Be Fit for Work” Adjustments

Adjustment	Example
Phased return	Start with shorter hours, gradually increase
Amended duties	Lighter tasks, no heavy lifting
Altered hours	Start later, finish earlier, avoid rushes
Workplace adaptations	Ergonomic equipment, ground-floor office

Your employer doesn’t have to accept these adjustments — but if they can’t accommodate them, you’re treated as “not fit for work” and SSP continues.

Your Rights While Off Sick

Right	Detail
Receive SSP (if eligible)	Employer must pay SSP — it’s the law
Not be dismissed automatically	Must follow a fair process
Accrue holiday	You continue to build up annual leave while off sick
Take holiday while sick	You can request to take holiday during sick leave (and receive holiday pay instead of SSP)
Privacy	Employer can ask about your condition but you don’t have to disclose a specific diagnosis (though it may help if you want adjustments)
Reasonable adjustments (disabled employees)	Employer must consider adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
Not be harassed	Employer shouldn’t put unreasonable pressure on you to return

Long-Term Sickness

Timeframe	What happens
Days 1–3	Waiting days — no SSP. Company sick pay may apply
Days 4–7	Self-certify. SSP begins (if eligible)
Day 8+	You need a fit note
4+ weeks	Employer should hold a welfare meeting and consider occupational health
Up to 28 weeks	SSP continues
After 28 weeks	SSP stops — claim ESA or Universal Credit
Ongoing	Employer may begin capability process if no return date is foreseeable

When SSP Runs Out

Option	Detail
ESA (Employment and Support Allowance)	Up to £90.50/week (support group) — based on NI contributions or income
Universal Credit	Includes a limited capability for work element (£416.19/month in support group)
PIP (Personal Independence Payment)	£28.70–£184.30/week — based on how your condition affects daily life and mobility. Not means-tested
Occupational sick pay	Your employer’s scheme may continue beyond 28 weeks
Income protection insurance	If you have a policy, it typically kicks in after a waiting period

Returning to Work

Step	Detail
Fit note expires	You can return without further medical clearance (unless employer’s policy requires it)
Phased return	GP may recommend a gradual return — discuss with your employer
Reasonable adjustments	If you have a disability or long-term condition, employer must consider adjustments
Return-to-work meeting	Most employers hold a brief meeting — this is normal and should be supportive
Occupational health referral	Employer may refer you for an independent assessment

Disability and the Equality Act

Feature	Detail
When the Act applies	If your condition has a substantial and long-term (12+ months) effect on day-to-day activities
Reasonable adjustments	Employer must make changes to help you do your job
Discrimination	Cannot treat you less favourably because of your disability
Sickness absence triggers	Disability-related absence may need to be discounted from sickness records
Examples of adjustments	Flexible hours, home working, modified duties, equipment, time off for treatment

Common Questions

Question	Answer
Can my employer contact me while I’m off sick?	Yes — but contact should be reasonable and supportive, not pressuring
Can I go on holiday while off sick?	Yes — sick leave and holiday are separate. Being off sick doesn’t mean being housebound
Can I do other work while on sick leave?	Risky — if your employer finds out, it could be grounds for dismissal
Do I get sick pay during my notice period?	Yes — SSP continues during your notice period if you’re eligible
Can I be made redundant while off sick?	Yes — if the redundancy is genuine and not related to your sickness