Sick Pay Calculator

Q: What are the 3 waiting days and do I get paid for them?

The first 3 qualifying days of sickness are called waiting days. You do not receive SSP for these days. Qualifying days are the days you would normally work. If your sickness lasts 3 days or fewer, you receive no SSP at all. Some employer schemes pay from day 1, removing this gap.

Q: What happens after 28 weeks when SSP ends?

After 28 weeks, your employer stops paying SSP and gives you form SSP1. You can then apply for new-style ESA (£90.50/week assessment phase, up to £138.20/week support group), Universal Credit (£393.45/month standard plus up to £416.19/month LCWRA element), or PIP if you have a long-term condition (£72.65 to £108.55/week, not means-tested).

Calculate your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for 2025/26. See how much you receive after tax and National Insurance, compare SSP with employer sick pay schemes, and plan ahead for when SSP ends after 28 weeks.

Calculate your Statutory Sick Pay for 2025/26

Your pay

Enter your gross pay (before tax)

Pay period

Days off sick

days

Calendar days (including weekends)

Working days per week

Your normal working pattern

I am self-employedSelf-employed workers cannot claim SSP

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How to Use This Calculator

SSP Calculator tab

Enter your gross pay (daily, weekly, monthly, or annual), the number of days off sick (calendar days), and your working pattern. The calculator checks whether you meet the Lower Earnings Limit (£125/week), applies the 3 waiting days, and calculates your gross SSP, tax and NI deductions, and net take-home. It also shows how much income you lose compared to your normal pay.

SSP vs Employer Scheme tab

Compare the statutory minimum (SSP only) with your employer's occupational sick pay scheme. Enter the number of weeks your employer pays full pay and half pay before dropping to SSP-only. See the total net income under each scenario and the financial advantage of having an employer scheme.

When SSP Ends tab

After 28 weeks of SSP, explore what comes next. Enter your salary and savings level to see estimated amounts for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The calculator shows your combined estimated monthly income and the gap versus your normal pay.

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The Formula

SSP is a flat-rate benefit paid per qualifying day:

Weekly SSP = £118.75 (flat rate, 2025/26)

Daily SSP = £118.75 ÷ qualifying days in the week
(For a 5-day worker: £118.75 ÷ 5 = £23.75/day)

Waiting days = first 3 qualifying days (no SSP paid)

Total gross SSP = SSP daily rate × (qualifying sick days − 3 waiting days)
Maximum SSP = 28 weeks × £118.75 = £3,325.00 gross

Net SSP = Gross SSP − Income Tax − National Insurance
(SSP is taxable and subject to employee NI contributions)

To qualify for SSP you must: be an employee (not self-employed), earn at least £125/week on average (the Lower Earnings Limit), be off sick for 4 or more consecutive days (including non-working days), and notify your employer within their deadline (or 7 days).

SSP is paid by your employer on your normal payday. Your employer cannot pay less than SSP, but many pay more through occupational sick pay schemes.

Example

Sarah — Warehouse Worker, £25,000/year

Sarah earns £25,000 per year (£480.77/week gross). She works 5 days a week and is off sick for 3 weeks (21 calendar days = 15 working days).

SSP Calculator tab

Annual salary£25,000

Weekly gross pay£480.77

Days off sick21 calendar days (15 working days)

Qualifies for SSP?Yes (above £125/week LEL)

Waiting days (no SSP)3 days

SSP qualifying days12 days (15 − 3)

SSP weeks2 weeks + 2 days

Gross SSP£285.00

Income tax deducted~£0 (below PA threshold when annualised)

NI deducted~£0

Net SSP~£285

Sarah's normal net pay for 3 weeks would be roughly £380/week × 3 = £1,140. On SSP she receives only £285 — a loss of about £855 over those 3 weeks. This illustrates why employer sick pay schemes and an emergency fund are so important.

If Sarah's employer has an occupational scheme

Many employers (e.g. NHS, civil service, large retailers) offer occupational sick pay: typically 4 weeks at full pay + 4 weeks at half pay, then SSP. For Sarah's 3-week absence, she would receive full pay throughout — roughly £1,140 net versus £285 on SSP alone.

FAQ

How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2025/26? ▼

SSP is £118.75 per week for the 2025/26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), up from £109.40 in 2024/25. It is a flat rate regardless of your normal salary. SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks. To qualify, you must earn at least £125 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit) and be an employee. SSP is taxable and subject to National Insurance deductions. Source: GOV.UK.

What are the 3 waiting days and do I get paid for them? ▼

The first 3 qualifying days of sickness are called "waiting days." You do not receive SSP for these days. Qualifying days are the days you would normally work. For example, if you work Monday to Friday and fall sick on Monday, your waiting days are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. SSP starts from Thursday. If your sickness lasts 3 days or fewer, you receive no SSP at all. Some employer schemes pay from day 1, removing this gap.

Can self-employed people claim SSP? ▼

No. Statutory Sick Pay is only available to employees. If you are self-employed, a contractor, or a freelancer and you become ill, you cannot claim SSP. Instead, you may be able to claim new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions, or Universal Credit. Apply via gov.uk. It is worth considering income protection insurance if you are self-employed.

What happens after 28 weeks when SSP ends? ▼

After 28 weeks, your employer stops paying SSP and should give you form SSP1. You can then apply for: (1) New-style ESA — contribution-based, currently £90.50/week during assessment then up to £138.20/week in the support group; (2) Universal Credit — means-tested, £393.45/month standard allowance (single, 25+) plus up to £416.19/month LCWRA element if you have limited capability for work; (3) PIP — if you have a long-term health condition or disability, PIP provides £72.65 to £108.55/week for daily living needs and is not means-tested.

Is SSP taxable? Do I pay National Insurance on it? ▼

Yes. SSP is treated as earnings and is subject to both income tax and employee National Insurance contributions. Your employer deducts these before paying you, just like normal wages. However, at £118.75/week (£6,071/year annualised), SSP falls below the Personal Allowance of £12,570, so in practice you are unlikely to pay income tax if SSP is your only income during sickness. NI is also unlikely since SSP falls below the NI Primary Threshold of £12,570/year. If you have other income sources, tax may apply.

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