Statutory Sick Pay Calculator UK
Calculate your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) instantly using the latest UK April 2026 rates and see your estimated sick pay in seconds with RootHR.
Uses April 2026 SSP rules: weekly SSP = lower of 80% of Average Weekly Earnings or £123.25. Qualifying days are selected working days within the sickness period.
What Is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount employers must pay eligible employees who are unable to work because of illness. It provides financial support during periods of sickness and is paid by employers rather than the government.
From April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is calculated using updated UK legislation. The amount an employee receives depends on their Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), qualifying days and the number of eligible sick days.
SSP is usually paid in the same way as normal wages and is subject to tax and National Insurance where applicable.
Who Can Claim Statutory Sick Pay?
You may qualify for Statutory Sick Pay if you:
- Are classed as an employee.
- Are unable to work because of illness.
- Earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit on average.
- Notify your employer within their required reporting timescale.
- Meet the eligibility requirements under current UK SSP legislation.
Some employees may not qualify for SSP, including those whose earnings fall below the qualifying threshold or who have already received the maximum period of SSP.
How Is Statutory Sick Pay Calculated?
Statutory Sick Pay is calculated using several factors, including:
- Your Average Weekly Earnings (AWE)
- Your contracted working days
- Your sickness start and end dates
- The current SSP weekly rate
- The number of qualifying sick days
Our calculator automatically performs these calculations for you, helping you estimate the amount you may receive without needing to work through the figures manually.
What Information Do You Need?
To calculate your Statutory Sick Pay, you’ll need:
- Sick start date
- Sick end date
- Gross monthly salary
- Your normal working days
Once entered, the calculator estimates:
- Average Weekly Earnings
- Weekly SSP amount
- Daily SSP rate
- Qualifying sick days
- Total Statutory Sick Pay payable
What Are Qualifying Days?
Qualifying days are the days you would normally be expected to work under your employment contract.
For example:
- Monday to Friday workers have five qualifying days each week.
- Employees working part-time may have fewer qualifying days.
- Weekend workers may have different qualifying days depending on their rota.
Only qualifying days that fall within your sickness period are normally included when calculating SSP.
Average Weekly Earnings Explained
Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) are used to determine whether you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay and how much you may receive.
Employers calculate your average earnings over the relevant earnings period before your sickness begins. This includes regular wages and certain other payments that count towards National Insurance contributions.
Our calculator provides an estimate using the salary information you enter.
Why Use Our Statutory Sick Pay Calculator?
Our calculator is designed to make SSP calculations quick, simple and accurate.
Benefits include:
- Free to use
- Instant results
- Mobile-friendly design
- Based on current UK SSP rules
- Easy-to-understand calculations
- Suitable for employees and employers
- No registration required
Understanding Your Results
After completing the calculation, you’ll receive an estimate showing:
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Average Weekly Earnings | Your estimated weekly earnings used for SSP calculations. |
| Weekly SSP | The weekly Statutory Sick Pay amount based on current legislation. |
| Daily SSP | Your estimated SSP payable for each qualifying day. |
| Qualifying Sick Days | The number of working days included within your sickness period. |
| Total SSP | Your estimated Statutory Sick Pay for the selected period. |
These figures are estimates only and should be used as guidance.
Tips for Employees
If you’re off work due to illness:
- Tell your employer as soon as possible.
- Follow your employer’s sickness reporting procedure.
- Keep records of your sickness dates.
- Provide medical evidence if requested.
- Check your employment contract for any additional company sick pay scheme.
Many employers offer contractual sick pay that is more generous than Statutory Sick Pay.
Tips for Employers
Employers should:
- Keep accurate sickness records.
- Calculate SSP using the correct earnings period.
- Pay eligible employees through payroll.
- Maintain records of SSP payments.
- Stay up to date with changes to UK employment legislation.
Using an online SSP calculator can help reduce manual errors and save time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount eligible employees can receive from their employer when they are unable to work because of illness.
How much Statutory Sick Pay will I receive?
The amount depends on your Average Weekly Earnings, qualifying working days and the length of your sickness absence. Use our calculator to estimate your payment.
Who pays Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay is paid by your employer through payroll.
Is Statutory Sick Pay taxable?
Yes. SSP is treated as earnings and is usually subject to Income Tax and National Insurance in the same way as normal wages.
Can part-time employees receive SSP?
Yes. Part-time employees can qualify for Statutory Sick Pay provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Does SSP include weekends?
Only if weekends are part of your normal working pattern. SSP is generally calculated using qualifying working days.
How do I calculate my SSP?
You’ll need your sickness dates, earnings and normal working days. Our Statutory Sick Pay Calculator automatically estimates your SSP based on the information you provide.
Is this calculator accurate?
Our calculator is based on the latest UK Statutory Sick Pay rules and provides an estimate. Actual payments may vary depending on your employment circumstances and payroll calculations.
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