Who can get it?

To get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), you must be unable to work because you are sick or disabled. You must earn at least £109.00 a week. If you don’t earn this amount, or if you’re self-employed, you cannot get SSP. You should claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) instead.

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 their own version of it. You can then reclaim ESA instead.

If you are off sick and you are not sure whether you can get SSP, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Part-time workers, workers on a fixed-term contract and agency workers all qualify for SSP.

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).