How is it paid?

Employers should pay SSP in the same way as they pay wages, and on the same day on which they would pay your wages, for the period you are off sick.

If you are ill for 22 weeks, your employer must give you change over form SSP1 in anticipation that you might be ill for over 28 weeks. This is to enable the administrative work to be completed so that ESA can begin in the 29th week (provided you fulfil the eligibility rules for that benefit). Your employer should also return any doctor’s certificate that is still valid so that it can be sent with the change over form.