Who can get it?
[ch 4: page 36]To get SSP, you must be an employee or an agency worker and be unable to work because you are sick or disabled. You must earn at least £118 a week (2019-20).
If you do not earn this amount, or you are self-employed, you cannot get SSP. If you were getting ESA within the last 12 weeks, you do not get SSP. Your employer should tell you if you are not entitled to SSP by giving you form SSP1, or the employer’s version of it. If you are not eligible or your SSP ends you may be able to apply for UC (see Chapter 1) or ESA (see pages 39-42) instead, using form SSP1 to support your application. Part-time workers, workers on a fixed-term contract and agency workers are all entitled to SSP as long as they meet the qualifying conditions.
To qualify for SSP you must be ill for a period of four or more calendar days in a row, including weekends and bank holidays.