Statutory Sick Pay Calculator (UK)
Blasko Sarcevic
Published · Updated
Use this free SSP calculator to work out how much Statutory Sick Pay you or your employee is owed under the 2026/27 rules.
Topic
Statutory Sick Pay calculator: weekly SSP amount and duration at a glance.
From 6 April 2026: SSP is the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings or £123.25/week, paid from day one, with no lower earnings limit. Max 28 weeks. The flat weekly rate applies here.
Estimate only, not legal or tax advice. 2026/27 figures; confirm with GOV.UK.
What is Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum sick pay UK employers must pay eligible employees who are off sick. From 6 April 2026, under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the rules changed: SSP is paid from day one (the three waiting days are gone), there is no lower earnings limit, so all employees qualify, and the amount is the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings (AWE) or the flat weekly rate of £123.25. The daily amount is the weekly figure divided by the number of qualifying (working) days in the week, and SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks for a period of sickness. Separate periods of sickness within 56 days of each other are linked and count toward the same 28 weeks.
How SSP is calculated (2026/27)
Weekly SSP is the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings (AWE) or £123.25. The daily amount is the weekly figure divided by the number of qualifying (working) days in the week, and it is payable from the first qualifying day of sickness, for up to 28 weeks.
Worked example: AWE of £400, a 5-day week, and 10 sick days. The calculator above applies the 80% rule, the flat rate, and the 28-week cap automatically.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly SSP | lower of (80% × £400 = £320) or £123.25 | £123.25 |
| Daily rate | £123.25 ÷ 5 | £24.65 |
| 10 days | £24.65 × 10 | £246.50 |
How much is SSP per week and per day?
The flat weekly rate for 2026/27 is £123.25. Lower earners receive 80% of their average weekly earnings instead, if that is less. The daily amount depends on how many days the employee normally works.
How long does SSP last?
SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks for a period of sickness. Separate periods of sickness within 56 days of each other are linked and count toward the same 28 weeks.
Estimate only, not legal or tax advice. 2026/27 figures should be confirmed with GOV.UK before you rely on them.
Frequently asked questions
- How is SSP calculated in 2026/27?
- Weekly SSP is the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings or £123.25, divided by qualifying days for the daily rate, paid from day one for up to 28 weeks.
- How much is SSP per week?
- £123.25 for 2026/27, or 80% of average weekly earnings if that is lower.
- Is there still a waiting period?
- No. From 6 April 2026, SSP is paid from the first qualifying day of sickness; the three waiting days were removed.
- Who qualifies for SSP now?
- All employees, regardless of earnings: the lower earnings limit was removed in 2026.
About the author
Blasko Sarcevic
Founder, Time-Out Zone
Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on LinkedInBlasko writes about leave management, policy design, and running time-off operations at scale.
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