Statutory sick pay


In the United Kingdom Statutory Sick Pay is paid by an employer to all employees who are off work because of sickness for longer than 4 consecutive days but less than 28 weeks and who normally pay National Insurance contributions, often referred to as earning above the Lower Earnings Limit. Days in which the employee would normally have worked are referred to as qualifying days, the first three of these; known as waiting days are unpaid unless the employee has claimed SSP within the previous 8 weeks and this included waiting days. Since 13 March 2020, SSP is also paid from the first qualifying day if the employee is self isolating on medical advice relating to COVID-19. SSP is £95.85 per week for 2020/2021. SSP is not paid to a number of categories of employees, including:
If the individual is unable to work due to medical reasons for longer than 28 weeks, entitlement to SSP ceases, but the person may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.

Statutory basis

Section 151 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 requires employers to make payments.