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Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you are an employee and too ill to work, your employer pays you Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks. Your contract may give you more, never less.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Go to the official website: gov.uk

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Who handles it

Step by step

  1. Tell your employer you cannot work before the deadline they set, or within 7 days if they have not set one.
  2. Follow your employer's way of reporting sickness. If they need it in writing, you can use form SC2.
  3. If you are off for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days), give them a fit note from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or other health professional.
  4. SSP is paid like your normal wages, with tax and National Insurance taken off. If you disagree with your employer, contact the HMRC Statutory Payment Disputes Team.

What you need

  • Form SC2, if your employer wants your sickness in writing
  • A fit note if you are off sick for more than 7 days in a row

Common mistakes

  • Telling your employer too late: you could lose some of your SSP.
  • Not asking for form SSP1 when SSP ends or you do not qualify: it helps you claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.

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