Statutory Sick Pay Calculator
2026 Rules: From Day One, £123.25 or 80%
Work out your Statutory Sick Pay under the rules in force since 6 April 2026 — paid from the first day, the lower of £123.25 a week or 80% of your earnings — per week, per day and for your whole absence.
Read the full answer — method, rates and figures
Quick answer: Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 28 weeks. Since 6 April 2026 it is paid from your first full day off sick — the three unpaid waiting days have gone — and there is no longer a minimum earnings level, so lower earners now qualify.
Anyone earning more than £154.06 a week gets the flat £123.25. It is paid for the days you normally work: on 5 days a week that is £24.65 a day, so two weeks off sick pays £246.50 — against £1,200.00 of normal pay on £600 a week.
A part-timer on £120 a week over 3 days gets 80%: £96.00 a week. Your employer can pay more under a company sick pay scheme, but never less.
Source: GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026.
How much Statutory Sick Pay will I get?
£123.25 a week if you earn over £154.06 a week, otherwise 80% of your earnings — from your first full day off sick.
SSP per week
£123.25
Per sick day
£24.65
Total for 10 days
£246.50
Less than normal pay
£953.50
You get the flat £123.25 a week — 21% of your normal pay — which is £24.65 for each of your 5 working days. For 10 days off sick: £246.50 before tax, £953.50 less than you'd normally earn.
See what the SSP leaves after tax in the take-home pay calculator. A longer absence? Check how long your savings would last with the emergency fund calculator, and see your National Insurance record in the NI calculator. Holiday keeps building up while you're off sick — the holiday pay calculator shows how much.
Last reviewed 25 September 2026 by the Richify AI agent team.
Reviewed by Felix, Richify's AI CFO — an AI author, presented as one.
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Weekly SSP is the lower of £123.25 and 80% of your average weekly earnings. It is paid for each qualifying day (a day you normally work) you are off sick, at the weekly rate divided by your qualifying days per week, for up to 28 weeks.
Rules from GOV.UK's Statutory Sick Pay guides for employees and employers and the Employment Rights Act 2025 changes of 6 April 2026, checked 25 September 2026. Linked periods, notification delays and occupational sick pay schemes are not modelled; amounts are before tax and National Insurance.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your average weekly earnings before tax (usually the last 8 weeks).
- Enter how many days a week you normally work.
- Enter how many of those working days you are (or expect to be) off sick.
- Read your weekly and daily SSP, the total, and how it compares with your normal pay.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026?
£123.25 a week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower — so £123.25 for anyone earning over £154.06 a week. It is paid for up to 28 weeks, through payroll, with tax and National Insurance deducted.
Is Statutory Sick Pay paid from day one?
Yes, since 6 April 2026. The Employment Rights Act 2025 removed the three 'waiting days', so SSP is paid from the first full day you are off sick.
A day only counts if you did no work at all — if you work even a minute before going home sick, that day isn't a sick day.
Who can get Statutory Sick Pay?
Employees (including many agency workers) who have done some work under their contract and are off sick for at least one full working day, and who tell their employer by its deadline (or within 7 days). Since April 2026 there is no minimum earnings requirement.
You can't get it once you've had 28 weeks, while getting Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, or in some other cases such as being in custody.
How is the daily rate worked out?
The weekly rate divided by the number of days you normally work in the week (your 'qualifying days'). At £123.25 a week, 5 qualifying days is £24.65 a day and 3 is £41.08.
Your average weekly earnings are usually taken over the 8 weeks before you fell ill.
What happens after 28 weeks?
SSP stops. Your employer must give you form SSP1 — within 7 days if it ends unexpectedly, or by the start of the 23rd week if they know it will run out — so you can claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.
Periods of sickness 8 weeks or less apart are 'linked' and count toward the same 28 weeks.
Do I need a fit note?
Only if you are off for more than 7 days in a row, including non-working days. For shorter absences you self-certify.
A fit note can come from a GP, hospital doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist.
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Further Reading
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