SSP Calculator UK 2026
Instantly estimate your Statutory Sick Pay for 2026/27. A free UK tool for employees and employers to work out the weekly rate, daily rate and total SSP owed for a period of sickness.
Statutory Sick Pay Projection
Enter your earnings and sickness details to estimate your SSP
Your average gross earnings over the 8 weeks before your sickness began.
The number of days you would normally work in a week.
The number of qualifying days you were unable to work due to sickness.
Your SSP Estimate
Weekly rate, daily rate and total sick pay breakdown
Enter your earnings and sickness details above and click Calculate SSP to reveal your statutory sick pay projection.
SSP Rules at a Glance (2026/27)
Quickly reference the key Statutory Sick Pay rules and figures that apply from 6 April 2026 onwards.
| Rule | 2026/27 Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Rate | £123.25 (max) | Or 80% of average weekly earnings, if lower |
| Waiting Days | None | Payable from the first qualifying sick day |
| Lower Earnings Limit | Removed | All employees are eligible regardless of earnings |
| Maximum Duration | 28 Weeks | Across one continuous or linked period of sickness |
| Linked Absences | Within 8 Weeks | Treated as one continuous period for the 28-week cap |
SSP FAQ
Everything you need to know about Statutory Sick Pay in the UK, including current rates, eligibility rules and how long it lasts.
For the 2026/27 tax year, Statutory Sick Pay is paid at the lower of £123.25 per week or 80% of an employee’s average weekly earnings. This means lower earners receive a proportionate amount based on their earnings, while most standard earners receive the flat £123.25 weekly rate.
From 6 April 2026, SSP is payable from the first qualifying day of sickness absence, as the previous three unpaid ‘waiting days’ have been abolished. Before this date, employees typically had to wait three qualifying days before SSP became payable.
From 6 April 2026, the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed, so employees no longer need to earn above a minimum weekly threshold to qualify for SSP. Entitlement is instead based on being an employee, having done some work under your contract, and meeting the sickness notification rules.
SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks in total. If your sickness absences are linked (separated by less than 8 weeks and each lasting at least one qualifying day), they may be treated as one continuous period towards this 28-week maximum.
Qualifying days are the days you would normally be expected to work under your contract. SSP is only paid for qualifying days you are off sick, not for days you would not have worked anyway, such as your usual days off.
Yes. SSP is only the legal minimum. Many employers offer enhanced contractual sick pay schemes that pay more than SSP, often for a defined period, with the statutory amount usually forming part of that total payment rather than being paid on top of it.