Statutory Sick Pay Calculator
Work out your SSP for 2025/26 — £118.75 a week. Count the three waiting days, your qualifying work days and the 28-week maximum to see exactly what you'll be paid.
Statutory Sick Pay calculator
2025/26 rate £118.75/week. Estimate your total.
A guide using whole work-weeks. Your employer calculates exact SSP per the GOV.UK rules.
How Statutory Sick Pay works
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum your employer must pay you when you are too ill to work. For 2025/26 it is £118.75 a week, paid for the days you would normally work (your "qualifying days"). You are not paid for the first three waiting days, so SSP starts from the fourth qualifying day off.
If you work a 5-day week, SSP is £23.75 a day (£118.75 ÷ 5). After the three unpaid waiting days, two weeks off sick (10 working days, 7 paid) would give roughly £166.25.
2025/26 SSP figures
| Item | 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Weekly SSP | £118.75 |
| Daily SSP (5-day week) | £23.75 |
| Waiting days (unpaid) | 3 |
| Maximum length | 28 weeks |
| Lower earnings limit | £125/week |
Source: GOV.UK — Statutory Sick Pay, 2025/26.
Waiting days and linked periods
The three waiting days are unpaid. But if you had a period of sickness in the last eight weeks that you were paid SSP for, the two periods are "linked" and you skip the waiting days the second time. Our calculator lets you mark a linked period so the figure is accurate.
When SSP runs out
SSP lasts up to 28 weeks. If you are still unwell after that, your employer must give you form SSP1, which lets you claim Universal Credit or "new style" Employment and Support Allowance. Many employers also offer more generous contractual (occupational) sick pay on top of SSP — check your contract.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2025/26?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is £118.75 a week in 2025/26, paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. It is paid for the qualifying days you normally work, after the first three waiting days.
What are SSP waiting days?
SSP is not paid for the first three 'waiting days' of sickness in a period. You start being paid from the fourth qualifying day off sick. Waiting days do not apply if you were paid SSP within the last eight weeks (linked periods).
How is SSP per day calculated?
The weekly SSP rate of £118.75 is divided by the number of qualifying days you normally work in a week. So if you work five days, your daily SSP is £118.75 ÷ 5 = £23.75 a day.
How long can I get SSP for?
You can receive SSP for up to 28 weeks for a single period of sickness. After that your employer should give you form SSP1 so you can claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance if you are still unwell.
Do I qualify for SSP?
You usually qualify if you are an employee, have been off sick for at least four days in a row, and earn at least £125 a week on average (the lower earnings limit). You must tell your employer within their deadline.