Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Paid by employers for a maximum of 28 weeks to people who are ‘off sick’ from work, and who normally earn above the ‘lower earnings limit’ (2020/21 £120 a week)

SSP – can be claimed by those who are self-isolating due to coronavirus – (COVID-19).

By Law, your employer must pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) when you meet certain qualifying conditions.

You can qualify for SSP if the following apply:

• You have been off sick from work for at least 4 days in a row (except when it’s for self-isolation for coronavirus), including non-working days.
• You earn on average at least £120.00 a week, before tax (2021/22)
• You have told your employer within any deadline the employer has set or within 7 days.

If you are agency, casual or a zero hours’ worker, you can get SSP; if you meet the above conditions.

The first 3 days of sickness do not have to be paid, except when it it’s for self-isolation for coronavirus. Check your employment contract or workplace sickness policy, to see if those first three days are paid or unpaid.

Coronavirus and Statutory Sick Pay

As from 13 march 2020, you must receive any SSP due to you from your first day of self-isolation – if it’s because:

• You have coronavirus.
• You have coronavirus symptoms –including a continuous cough, high temperature, fever or loss of smell and or taste.
• Someone in your household has coronavirus symptoms.
• You’ve been told to ‘shield’ by the NHS because of an underlying health condition.
• You’ve been told to self-isolate by a doctor or NHS 111
• You’ve been told to self-isolate by the Governments ‘test and trace’ service, because you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

You can ‘self-certify’ for the first 7 days off work. This means following your workplace process but not having to get a note from a doctor or NHS 111.

If you self-isolate for more than 7 days you can get an online self-isolation note from the NHS website.