What changed for SSP in April 2026?

Employment Rights Act 2025 reformed SSP from April 2026: (1) Day-1 payment (previously 3 waiting days), (2) Lower Earnings Limit £125/week abolished - all employed workers now eligible, (3) Rate formula = lower of 80% AWE or £123.25/week (was £118.75 flat). Major win for low-paid workers + insecure-hour workers previously excluded.

How much SSP do I get in 2026/27?

Lower of: 80% of Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), or £123.25/week. So worker earning £200/week gets 80% × £200 = £160/week × cap = £123.25/week. Worker earning £100/week gets 80% × £100 = £80/week (no cap). Worker earning £300/week gets capped at £123.25/week. Maximum 28 weeks of SSP per period of incapacity.

When do I get paid SSP?

From day 1 of sickness absence (from April 2026 reform). Previously: 3 waiting days. Now: paid from first qualifying day off work. Maximum: 28 weeks per period of incapacity. Paid via your employer's payroll - same way as salary, with Income Tax + NI deducted.

How do I claim SSP from my employer?

Notify employer of sickness by their notification deadline (usually first day). Provide evidence: self-certification for first 7 days, "fit note" from GP for 8+ days. Employer must pay automatically through payroll - no separate claim. Keep records of communication if dispute arises.

What if my employer refuses SSP?

Employer fills SSP1 form explaining why. You can then claim ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) from DWP. Common employer refusal reasons: not eligible employee, exceeded 28-week limit, returning from previous period of sickness. Appeal employer's decision in writing first; escalate to ACAS if needed.

What's the difference between SSP + ESA?

SSP: paid by employer, automatic from sickness, max 28 weeks, rate £123.25/week. ESA: paid by DWP, requires application + assessment, can continue beyond 28 weeks, different rate structure (contribution-based or income-related). Most workers claim SSP first then move to ESA after 28 weeks if still incapacitated.

Do I still get pension contributions during SSP?

Employer pension contributions continue based on your pre-SSP salary (reduced employee contribution based on SSP rate). Employer cannot stop pension during SSP. Salary sacrifice arrangements may be reduced or paused - check with HR.

What if I'm off sick for more than 28 weeks?

SSP ends. Apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at gov.uk/esa. New Style ESA (contribution-based) or Universal Credit can continue providing income. Employer may offer "ill-health early retirement" if pension scheme allows. NHS Continuing Healthcare or similar if severely disabled.

Can I work a few hours and still get SSP?

No - SSP requires you to be incapable of work. If you can work a few hours, you're not entitled to SSP. However: keep-in-touch arrangements during long-term sickness are allowed under specific occupational sick pay policies (different from SSP). Test return-to-work programmes don't affect SSP if structured correctly.

Practical guide

UK SSP April 2026 Reform Worker Claim Guide

Complete worker guide to UK Statutory Sick Pay after the April 2026 Employment Rights Act 2025 reform - day-1 payment, abolished LEL, claim process, employer obligations, ESA transition.

The April 2026 SSP reform

Day-1 payment: SSP now from first qualifying day (previously 3 waiting days)
LEL abolished: Lower Earnings Limit £125/week removed - all employed workers eligible
New rate formula: Lower of 80% AWE or £123.25/week
Coverage extension: Casual workers, part-time, multi-employer workers all covered
28-week limit unchanged: Max 28 weeks per period of incapacity

Worked SSP examples

AWE	80% AWE	SSP rate (lower of)
£100/week	£80	£80/week
£150/week	£120	£120/week
£200/week	£160	£123.25/week (capped)
£300/week	£240	£123.25/week (capped)

Claim process

Day 1 of sickness: notify employer per their notification policy (usually by 9am that day)
Days 1-7: self-certify (no GP note needed)
Day 8+: get "fit note" from GP confirming sickness
Employer adds SSP to payroll - same way as salary
Income Tax + NI deducted from SSP
Continues up to 28 weeks max

If employer refuses SSP

Employer fills SSP1 form stating reason
You apply for "New Style ESA" at gov.uk/esa
DWP assessment + decision
Appeal employer decision in writing first; escalate to ACAS if dispute continues

Frequently asked questions

What changed for SSP in April 2026?
Employment Rights Act 2025 reformed SSP from April 2026: (1) Day-1 payment (previously 3 waiting days), (2) Lower Earnings Limit £125/week abolished - all employed workers now eligible, (3) Rate formula = lower of 80% AWE or £123.25/week (was £118.75 flat). Major win for low-paid workers + insecure-hour workers previously excluded.
How much SSP do I get in 2026/27?
Lower of: 80% of Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), or £123.25/week. So worker earning £200/week gets 80% × £200 = £160/week × cap = £123.25/week. Worker earning £100/week gets 80% × £100 = £80/week (no cap). Worker earning £300/week gets capped at £123.25/week. Maximum 28 weeks of SSP per period of incapacity.
When do I get paid SSP?
From day 1 of sickness absence (from April 2026 reform). Previously: 3 waiting days. Now: paid from first qualifying day off work. Maximum: 28 weeks per period of incapacity. Paid via your employer's payroll - same way as salary, with Income Tax + NI deducted.
How do I claim SSP from my employer?
Notify employer of sickness by their notification deadline (usually first day). Provide evidence: self-certification for first 7 days, "fit note" from GP for 8+ days. Employer must pay automatically through payroll - no separate claim. Keep records of communication if dispute arises.
What if my employer refuses SSP?
Employer fills SSP1 form explaining why. You can then claim ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) from DWP. Common employer refusal reasons: not eligible employee, exceeded 28-week limit, returning from previous period of sickness. Appeal employer's decision in writing first; escalate to ACAS if needed.
What's the difference between SSP + ESA?
SSP: paid by employer, automatic from sickness, max 28 weeks, rate £123.25/week. ESA: paid by DWP, requires application + assessment, can continue beyond 28 weeks, different rate structure (contribution-based or income-related). Most workers claim SSP first then move to ESA after 28 weeks if still incapacitated.
Do I still get pension contributions during SSP?
Employer pension contributions continue based on your pre-SSP salary (reduced employee contribution based on SSP rate). Employer cannot stop pension during SSP. Salary sacrifice arrangements may be reduced or paused - check with HR.
What if I'm off sick for more than 28 weeks?
SSP ends. Apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at gov.uk/esa. New Style ESA (contribution-based) or Universal Credit can continue providing income. Employer may offer "ill-health early retirement" if pension scheme allows. NHS Continuing Healthcare or similar if severely disabled.
Can I work a few hours and still get SSP?
No - SSP requires you to be incapable of work. If you can work a few hours, you're not entitled to SSP. However: keep-in-touch arrangements during long-term sickness are allowed under specific occupational sick pay policies (different from SSP). Test return-to-work programmes don't affect SSP if structured correctly.