If you're off sick from work, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum your employer must pay you , and 2026 brings the biggest shake-up to the scheme in decades. The lower earnings limit is being scrapped, sick pay now starts from day one of illness, and more workers than ever before will qualify. This guide explains the new Statutory Sick Pay 2026 rate, who's eligible, how to claim it, and what to do if you need a fit note fast and can't easily get to a GP.
How Much Is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in 2026?
The SSP weekly rate is reviewed by the government every April. For the 2026/27 tax year, SSP is expected to rise in line with the usual annual uprating announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), taking the weekly rate to approximately £119–£122 a week , always confirm the exact figure on GOV.UK before payroll runs, as final confirmation typically lands in the preceding autumn.
SSP is paid for each "qualifying day" you're off sick, up to 28 weeks. Here's a worked example using the new day-one rules:
| Scenario | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Employee works Mon–Fri, off sick 3 days | £119.00 ÷ 5 qualifying days x 3 days | £71.40 for the week |
| Employee works 3 days a week, off sick all 3 | £119.00 ÷ 3 qualifying days x 3 days | Full £119.00 for the week |
| Employee off sick for 2 full weeks | £119.00 x 2 | £238.00 total |
Under the old rules, the first three days ("waiting days") were unpaid. From 2026, SSP is payable from day one of sickness absence, so that first table row would previously have paid nothing for a short 3-day absence , now it pays in full from the outset. This is one of the most practical changes for anyone with a short-term illness.
Who Is Eligible for SSP in 2026? Eligibility Rules Explained
Eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay 2026 is simpler than before. To qualify, you generally need to:
- Be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer
- Be sick for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days)
- Give proper notice of sickness following your employer's rules
- Provide a fit note or sick leave certificate if your absence lasts more than 7 days
The most notable reform is the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) . Previously, anyone earning below roughly £123 a week (the 2025/26 LEL) was excluded from SSP entirely , this hit part-time staff, zero-hours contract workers, and those juggling multiple small jobs the hardest. From 2026, there is no minimum earnings threshold. Instead, lower-paid employees receive either the standard flat rate or 80% of their average weekly earnings (AWE), whichever is lower.
Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) Example
Say a zero-hours worker earns an average of £100 a week over the relevant 8-week reference period. Under the 2026 rules:
- 80% of AWE = £80.00
- Standard SSP rate = £119.00
- They receive the lower of the two: £80.00 a week
This means part-time employee sick pay and zero-hours contract sick pay entitlements now exist where none did before , a genuine widening of employment rights under UK law.
What Changed in 2026: Day-One Pay and the End of the Lower Earnings Limit
Two reforms define Statutory Sick Pay 2026:
- Day-one payment , the three unpaid waiting days are removed, so SSP starts from the first qualifying day of sickness.
- No lower earnings limit , low earners who previously earned too little to qualify are now covered, paid at 80% of AWE or the flat rate, whichever is lower.
These changes stem from the Employment Rights Bill and follow years of criticism that SSP left millions of low-paid and insecure workers with no financial safety net during illness. Employers should note there's no transitional grace period once the rules take effect , payroll software and sickness policies need updating before the April 2026 switch-over date to stay compliant.
How to Claim Statutory Sick Pay: Step-by-Step Process
Claiming SSP is handled through your employer, not HMRC directly. Here's the process:
- Tell your employer you're sick , follow their notification rules (usually within 7 days), by phone, email, or however they specify.
- Provide evidence , self-certify for the first 7 days; after that, you'll need a fit note from a GP or an approved sick leave certificate.
- Employer calculates your SSP , based on your qualifying days and AWE, using payroll software or manual calculation.
- Payment is made through payroll , SSP is taxable income and subject to normal tax and National Insurance deductions, paid alongside your usual wages.
- If refused, request an SSP1 form , your employer must explain in writing why you don't qualify, which you can challenge via HMRC or Acas.
Sickness absence that follows a previous spell within 8 weeks may count as a "linking period," meaning the two spells combine for SSP purposes rather than restarting the clock , an important detail for anyone with recurring health conditions.
Getting Your Fit Note or Sick Leave Certificate Fast
Most employers require a fit note (formerly known as a "sick note") for any absence longer than 7 days. This is where many employees get stuck , GP appointments can take days or weeks to book, and if you're a freelancer, contractor, or working abroad without easy access to a UK doctor, delays in getting a medical certificate for work can put your SSP claim at risk.
A fit note needs to confirm you're unfit for work (or fit for work with adjustments), state the likely duration of your condition, and be signed by an authorised clinician. It doesn't have to come from your usual GP , any licensed medical professional can issue one, provided it meets the same clinical and documentation standards.
If you can't get a timely GP appointment, Get Medical Certificate lets you obtain a licensed, GDPR-compliant sick leave certificate online in minutes, reviewed by qualified clinicians and accepted by employers and HR teams as valid supporting evidence for an SSP claim. This is particularly useful for:
- Employees who fall sick while travelling or living abroad
- Freelancers and remote workers without a registered local GP
- Anyone facing long GP waiting times who needs documentation before the 7-day self-certification window closes
SSP in Scotland, Self-Employment and Other Special Cases
Statutory Sick Pay is a UK-wide entitlement , the rates, qualifying rules, and claims process are identical whether you work in Scotland, England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. There is no separate "SSP Scotland" scheme; sick pay and employment rights of this kind are reserved matters set by UK-wide legislation, not devolved to Holyrood. If you've seen conflicting claims online, this is the clear answer: one set of rules applies across all four nations.
Self-employed workers, however, are not covered by SSP at all , there's no employer to pay it. Self-employed sick pay instead comes through Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit, both of which have their own eligibility tests and evidence requirements, including fit notes.
Other special cases worth knowing:
- SSP ends after 28 weeks; after that, you may need to claim ESA or Universal Credit
- SSP is taxable income, deducted at source through PAYE
- Occupational sick pay (a more generous employer scheme) can run alongside or instead of SSP , check your contract
Why Employers Should Plan Ahead for 2026
For HR and payroll teams, the 2026 changes mean real compliance work. Waiting until April to update systems risks miscalculated pay, employee disputes, and Acas complaints. A practical employer checklist:
- Update payroll software to remove the LEL threshold and waiting-day logic
- Review your employer sick pay policy and staff handbook wording
- Train line managers on the new day-one entitlement and AWE calculations
- Confirm how your business will accept fit notes and sick leave certificates, including digital formats
- Budget for a modest rise in short-term sickness absence costs, given wider eligibility
Businesses with a large proportion of part-time or zero-hours staff should expect the biggest shift in cost and administration, since these groups move from largely uncovered to fully covered under Statutory Sick Pay 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) UK 2026 weekly rate?
SSP is expected to rise to around £119–£122 a week from 6 April 2026, subject to final confirmation by the DWP. Always check GOV.UK for the exact figure closer to the date.
Do I get SSP from day one of sickness in 2026?
Yes. The three-day unpaid waiting period is being removed, so eligible employees are paid from the first qualifying day of illness.
Can low earners get SSP now?
Yes. The lower earnings limit is being abolished, meaning employees who previously earned too little to qualify will now receive either the flat SSP rate or 80% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Is Statutory Sick Pay different in Scotland?
No. SSP rules, rates, and eligibility are identical across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland , it's a reserved, UK-wide entitlement.
What if I can't get a GP appointment for a fit note?
You can use a licensed online medical certificate service, such as Get Medical Certificate, to obtain a valid, GDPR-compliant sick leave certificate quickly, without needing an in-person GP visit.
Key Points
The 2026 reforms make Statutory Sick Pay fairer and more accessible, with day-one payments and no lower earnings limit closing gaps that left part-time and low-paid workers unprotected. Whether you're an employee confirming your entitlement or an employer updating payroll ahead of April, understanding the new Statutory Sick Pay UK 2026 rates and rules is worth doing now, not later.
If you're sick and need documentation quickly , especially if you're abroad, freelance, or can't get a timely GP appointment , you can get a licensed, GDPR-compliant sick leave certificate online via Get Medical Certificate in minutes, so your SSP claim isn't held up by paperwork delays.