Statutory Sick Pay sets the minimum amount of compensation you are entitled to get if you are unable to work at your job due to sickness. The official rate for Statutory Sick Pay is currently £89.35 per week for 28 weeks. In some cases your employer might pay you more. So, it’s important that you check your contract to see what it says about sick pay.
Who’s entitled to Statutory Sick Pay?
To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay you must:
- Be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer
- Have been ill for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days)
- Earn at least £113 (before tax) per week
- Tell your employer you’re sick before their deadline – or within 7 days if they don’t have one.
Who isn’t entitled to Statutory Sick Pay
You won’t get Statutory Sick pay if you:
- Are self employed
- Have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks)
- Are getting statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
- Are pregnant, your baby is due within 4 weeks and your illness is pregnancy related
- Are in the armed forces
- Are in legal custody (detained either by police or in person)
- Received Employment and Support Allowance within in the last 12 weeks
How to claim Statutory Sick Pay
Usually, you need to let you employer know that you are unable to work as soon as possible but definitely within the first week of your illness. You can do this in writing or fill in a form provided by your employer. You only need to provide a doctor’s letter or “fit/sick note” if you’re off sick for more than 7 days.
