About the UK Statutory Sick Pay Calculator
This Statutory Sick Pay calculator works out how much SSP an employer must pay for a period of sickness under the rules in force from 6 April 2026. SSP is £123.25 a week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower, and it is paid for each qualifying day you are off sick — normally the days you would usually work — for up to 28 weeks.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 changed SSP from April 2026: the three unpaid waiting days have gone, so SSP is paid from the first day of sickness, and the lower earnings limit has been removed so lower-paid employees qualify too, with the 80% rule protecting them from receiving more than their normal pay. The calculator applies these rules automatically.
Enter your average weekly earnings over the 8 weeks before you fell sick, how many days a week you normally work and how many of those days you were off. It returns the daily rate, total SSP for the period and how much of your 28-week entitlement is left. Many employers pay more under a company sick pay scheme; SSP is the legal minimum and is taxed like normal pay.
With the default inputs, the statutory sick pay due is £246.50. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the uk statutory sick pay calculator
- 1Enter your average gross weekly earnings over the last 8 weeks.
- 2Enter how many days a week you normally work.
- 3Enter the number of those working days you were off sick.
- 4If you had earlier linked sickness, enter the SSP weeks already used.
- 5Read the daily rate and the total SSP your employer should pay.
Formula and method
From 6 April 2026 SSP is the lower of £123.25 a week and 80% of average weekly earnings (AWE), worked out over the 8 weeks before the sickness began. The weekly rate is divided by the number of qualifying days in the week — the days the employee normally works — to give a daily rate, and that is paid for every qualifying day of sickness.
There are no waiting days from April 2026, so the first qualifying day is paid. SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks in a period of incapacity; separate spells of sickness that are 8 weeks or less apart link together and share the same 28-week limit. SSP is subject to tax and National Insurance like other pay.
- AWE
- Average weekly earnings over the previous 8 weeks
- £123.25
- Standard weekly SSP rate for 2026/27
- Qualifying days
- Days of the week the employee normally works
Worked examples
Two weeks off on £500 a week
80% of £500 is £400, above the cap, so SSP is £123.25 a week. Over 5 qualifying days that is £24.65 a day, and 10 days off pays £246.50, leaving 26 of the 28 weeks.
Low earner on £120 a week
With no lower earnings limit from April 2026, this employee qualifies, but SSP is limited to 80% of £120 = £96 a week, or £19.20 a day. Fifteen days off pays £288.
Long-term sickness, three-day week
A three-day worker has 3 qualifying days a week, so 28 weeks is 84 days. At £123.25 ÷ 3 = £41.08 a day, the maximum SSP is 84 × £41.0833 = £3,451.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026?+
From 6 April 2026 SSP is £123.25 a week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. It is paid for up to 28 weeks.
Is SSP paid from the first day of sickness?+
Yes, from 6 April 2026. The Employment Rights Act 2025 removed the three waiting days, so SSP is paid from the first qualifying day you are off sick.
Do I need to earn a minimum amount to get SSP?+
Not from April 2026: the lower earnings limit was removed. Instead, lower earners receive 80% of their average weekly earnings if that is less than the standard rate.
How is the SSP daily rate worked out?+
Divide the weekly rate by the number of qualifying days you normally work in a week. Someone on the full rate who works five days gets £24.65 a day; someone working three days gets about £41.08 a day.
Do I need a fit note for SSP?+
You can self-certify for the first 7 calendar days. After that your employer can ask for a fit note from a GP, nurse, pharmacist or other approved healthcare professional.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.