How much do you get under SSP?

SSP is a flat-rate payment with no additions for dependents. It is taxable and liable for National Insurance contributions where applicable. The current rate of SSP is £95.85 a week.

You can only claim SSP for days counted as “qualifying days”. These are usually the days you normally work. Other days may be set as qualifying days in agreement with your employer if you do not work a standard week.

SSP is paid even if you are hospitalised. If you have a sick pay scheme at your workplace, this may pay more than the SSP rate, but you will not get SSP on top. The daily rate is the weekly rate divided by the number of qualifying days in that week.

If you are off work for a reason related to coronavirus (ill, self-isolating or shielding) you will be paid from the first day of your sickness. If you are off sick for a reason other than coronavirus, you do not get SSP for the first three qualifying days known as “waiting days”. If you are ill for no more than four days, SSP is payable for the fourth day only.