Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

A legal minimum your employer pays if you are an employee, you earn enough, and you are too ill to work for 4 or more days in a row. There is no public application form.

How much you could get

SSP is a single weekly rate set for the tax year, paid by the employer. Confirm the live weekly figure on GOV.UK. It is not increased for children or housing costs.

Check the current amount on the official page.

Who can claim

You usually need to be an employee (including many agency workers), earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit on average, and be off work for 4 or more consecutive days. You must follow your employer’s reporting rules and provide fit notes when GOV.UK says they are required.

Eligibility conditions

These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.

• You live in the UK.
• You are employed.
• Your health affects your ability to work, or that is not yet known.

Check if Statutory Sick Pay may apply to you

It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.

When it may not apply

Self-employed people do not get SSP. It stops after a limited number of weeks. After that, check New Style ESA and Universal Credit. Unpaid “sick pay claims” websites are not official.

Where you live

Statutory Sick Pay is available UK-wide, but the claim route can still differ across nations.

Browse benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.

How to claim

1. SSP is paid by your employer if you qualify. There is no public application form. You usually need to be an employee, earn above the Lower Earnings Limit, and be off work for 4 or more days in a row. Official page
2. Follow your employer’s sickness reporting rules and supply fit notes when required. GOV.UK explains when a fit note is needed. Agency and zero-hours workers can still qualify — the official page has the tests. Official page
3. SSP is time-limited. It is paid for a limited number of weeks. If you are still too ill to work after that, check New Style ESA and Universal Credit on GOV.UK.
4. If SSP is refused, use the HMRC dispute process on GOV.UK. Do not pay a third party to “apply” for SSP. It is not a DWP benefit you claim online.

Official sources

• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — GOV.UK (primary source)

Related benefits

• Adult Disability Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Blue Badge
• Child Disability Payment
• Disability Living Allowance for children

See all disability and health benefits.

Source: Employers / HM Revenue & Customs. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.

Check if this may apply to you

It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.