Who can get it?


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 £116 a week (2018-19). 


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 the employer’s version of it. You can then apply to claim ESA instead.


Part-time workers, workers on a fixed-term contract and agency workers are all entitled to for 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.