Statutory Sick Pay calculator
Uses the reformed 2026-27 rules — the lower of £123.25 or 80% of average weekly earnings, paid from the first working day. Many calculators still use the old rules; this one doesn't.
Gross, averaged over the 8 weeks before sickness
The employee's normal working pattern (qualifying days)
Full working days missed through illness
Statutory Sick Pay due
£172.55
Weekly rate £123.25 (the £123.25 standard rate) ÷ 5 working days = £24.65 per day × 7 days. Paid from the first full working day of sickness under the 2026-27 rules.
2026-27 rules as shown on GOV.UK (verified 5 July 2026): the old minimum-earnings threshold and unpaid waiting days no longer appear in the eligibility criteria. Statutory minimum — occupational sick pay schemes can pay more. Guidance, not legal advice.
SSP in 2026-27, plainly
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026-27?
The weekly rate is £123.25 or 80% of the employee’s average weekly earnings — whichever is lower — for up to 28 weeks. The 80% arm is new for lower earners: someone averaging £120 a week receives £96 (80%), while anyone earning above roughly £154 a week receives the full £123.25.
What changed about SSP under the Employment Rights Act reforms?
Two big things, per the live GOV.UK guidance for 2026-27: the minimum-earnings threshold no longer appears in the eligibility criteria (low earners now qualify, paid at 80% of their average weekly earnings), and SSP applies from the first full working day of sickness — the old three unpaid waiting days no longer appear.
How is the daily SSP rate worked out?
Divide the weekly rate by the number of qualifying days — the days the employee normally works. A 5-day worker on the standard rate gets £24.65 per sick day; a 3-day worker gets £41.08 per sick day, because the same weekly amount is spread over fewer days.
Who is eligible for SSP?
Per GOV.UK for 2026-27: the person must be classed as an employee and have done some work for the employer, and must have been ill for at least one full working day. Employees on certain benefits, or beyond the 28-week maximum, fall outside SSP — GOV.UK’s eligibility page covers the exclusions.
Can an employer pay more than SSP?
Yes — SSP is the statutory floor. Many employers run occupational sick pay schemes that pay full or half salary for a period; the contract or policy decides. They can never pay less than SSP for qualifying absence.
Verified against GOV.UK — Statutory Sick Pay on 5 July 2026. See all rates on our statutory rates 2026/27 page.
Payroll that applies the new SSP rules automatically.
Blankitt HR calculates SSP, SMP and the rest of statutory pay inside every pay run — sickness recorded once, the right amount paid, nothing done twice.