What Is SSP and How Long Does It Last? Complete UK Guide (2026)
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum sick pay your employer must legally pay if you’re too unwell to work. From April 2025, SSP is paid at £118.75 per week for up to 28 weeks, as long as you meet the eligibility rules.
If illness, injury, or mental health issues stop you from working, SSP helps protect your income after the first few unpaid days. To continue receiving SSP beyond the first week, employers usually ask for a fit note, which can now be obtained online through services like
👉 https://getmedicalcertificate.com
This guide explains what SSP is, who qualifies, how long it lasts, and how to claim it correctly—without confusion or missing details.
What Is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
SSP is employer-paid sick pay, required by UK law, for employees who cannot work due to illness or health conditions.
Key points:
Paid by your employer, not the government
Applies to physical and mental health conditions
Paid like normal wages (tax and National Insurance deducted)
Covers only your usual working days
Starts after 3 unpaid “waiting days”
From April 2025:
Weekly rate: £118.75
Maximum duration: 28 weeks
Many employers offer enhanced occupational sick pay, but SSP is the legal minimum.
To continue SSP after the first 7 days, you’ll usually need a doctor’s fit note, which can be issued online via GetMedicalCertificate.com.
When Do You Qualify for SSP?
You can usually claim SSP if:
You’re classed as an employee
You earn £125 or more per week on average
You’ve been sick for 4 or more consecutive days (including non-working days)
You inform your employer within their deadline (often 7 days)
How the timeline works:
Days 1–3: Waiting days (unpaid)
Days 1–7: Self-certification
From Day 8: Fit note required
SSP applies to:
Flu or infections
Stress, anxiety, depression
Injuries or surgery recovery
Long-term or chronic conditions
If you need proof quickly, online sick leave certificates from
https://getmedicalcertificate.com
are commonly used for SSP claims.
Who Cannot Get SSP?
You cannot claim SSP if you:
Are self-employed
Earn less than £125 per week
Have already received 28 weeks of SSP
Receive maternity pay instead
If SSP isn’t available, your employer must give you an SSP1 form, which you can use to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC).
Legal Rules for SSP in the UK
SSP is governed by the Statutory Sick Pay Act 1994.
Employer responsibilities:
Pay SSP for up to 28 weeks if you’re eligible
Accept valid fit notes (including digital ones)
Issue SSP1 if SSP is refused or ends
Employee responsibilities:
Notify sickness on time
Self-certify days 1–7
Provide fit notes from day 8 onwards
✔️ Online fit notes are legally valid when issued by registered doctors.
How to Claim SSP Using Online Fit Notes
You can support your SSP claim using a fit note from
👉 https://getmedicalcertificate.com
Step-by-step process:
Step 1:
Notify your employer that you’re unwell (follow company policy)
Step 2:
Self-certify for the first 7 days (SC2 form or internal system)
Step 3:
Visit GetMedicalCertificate.com and apply for a Sick Leave Certificate
Step 4:
Complete the secure questionnaire describing:
Symptoms
Start date
How illness affects your work
Step 5:
Chat privately with a registered doctor (text-based, no video)
Step 6:
Receive your PDF fit note by email, usually within minutes
Step 7:
Send the fit note to HR and continue SSP payments
You can renew fit notes as needed, up to the 28-week SSP limit.
What Information Is Needed for SSP?
You may need:
Employer sickness notification
Self-certification (days 1–7)
Fit notes from day 8 onwards
National Insurance number
Proof of earnings (payslips)
SSP can run for 28 weeks total, even if split across absences.
Costs, NHS Fit Notes, and Alternatives
SSP is free to claim (employer-paid); fit notes cost €34.99 online vs NHS free. Non-refundable digital only.
Benefits and Limitations
Benefits
Guaranteed income protection
Covers physical and mental health
Online fit notes keep payments uninterrupted
Limitations
First 3 days unpaid
Fixed weekly rate
Stops after 28 weeks
What to Do After Claiming SSP
After claiming, you monitor payslips for £118.75 weekly on qualifying days. You submit renewed fit notes every 4-12 weeks. You discuss phased return or adjustments with employer. You transition to ESA/UC post-28 weeks if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I self-certify at the start?
Yes. The first 7 days do not need a fit note. - Is a video call required for a fit note?
No. GetMedicalCertificate.com uses secure text chat only. - Does SSP cover mental health?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, and stress are treated the same as physical illness. - Is SSP taxable?
Yes. It’s taxed like normal wages. - Can SSP be backdated?
Sometimes, with valid medical evidence. - Can I claim SSP while abroad?
Yes, if you’re employed by a UK employer and provide valid fit notes.
Final Thoughts
Statutory Sick Pay provides £118.75 per week for up to 28 weeks when illness stops you from working. To keep SSP running after the first week, a fit note is essential.
If GP appointments are delayed, GetMedicalCertificate.com offers a fast, online way to obtain doctor-reviewed fit notes—helping you protect your income without unnecessary stress.
Start your application at https://getmedicalcertificate.com