When does Statutory Sick Pay start in 2026/27?

For sickness absences starting on or after 6 April 2026, SSP starts on the first full day of sickness. The old 3 unpaid waiting days no longer apply. Transitional rules can apply to an absence that began before 6 April 2026.

How is the daily rate of SSP calculated?

First take the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings and the £123.25 weekly cap, then divide that weekly rate by the number of qualifying days normally worked. At the cap on a 5-day week, that is £24.65 per qualifying day.

How long can you get Statutory Sick Pay?

SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks for any single period of sickness or linked periods. After that it stops, and you may be able to claim other support such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.

● 2026/27 · SSP · £123.25 weekly cap

Sick Pay Calculator

Q: How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27?

From 6 April 2026, weekly Statutory Sick Pay is 80% of your average weekly earnings or £123.25, whichever is lower. It is paid for qualifying days from the first full day of sickness, for up to 28 weeks.

Work out your Statutory Sick Pay for 2026/27. SSP is paid from the first full sick day at the lower of 80% of your average weekly earnings or £123.25 a week, for up to 28 weeks.

🤒 Up to £123.25 a week ⏱️ Paid from day one 📅 Up to 28 weeks

Estimate your sick pay

Statutory Sick Pay · 2026/27

Average weekly earnings

SSP is 80% of this figure or £123.25, whichever is lower.

Qualifying days off sick

Days you would normally have worked

Qualifying days per week

Statutory Sick Pay due

£0

0 paid days · per day

Item	Value
Qualifying sick days	0
Weekly SSP rate used	£0
Paid days	0
Total SSP	£0

SSP is taxable — check the after-tax position with the take-home pay calculator.

How Statutory Sick Pay works in 2026/27

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum your employer must pay when you're too ill to work. From 6 April 2026, the weekly rate is the lower of 80% of your average weekly earnings and £123.25. It is available to eligible employees regardless of earnings and is paid per qualifying day for up to 28 weeks.

For sickness absences starting on or after 6 April 2026, SSP begins on the first full day of sickness. The old three unpaid waiting days and lower earnings limit have been removed. An absence that began before 6 April 2026 can be subject to transitional rules.

A typical sickness timeline

Every blue block is paid at the applicable SSP daily rate from the first full sick day.

The daily rate explained

First work out the weekly SSP rate: 80% of average weekly earnings or the £123.25 cap, whichever is lower. Divide that by the number of qualifying days you normally work. At the cap, a standard 5-day week is £24.65 per day; a 3-day week uses an unrounded daily rate of about £41.0833.

Eligible employees can qualify regardless of earnings. SSP is paid for the qualifying days they would normally have worked, from the first full day of a sickness absence that starts on or after 6 April 2026.

A worked example: 10 sick days, 5-day week

Say your average weekly earnings are £500, and you're off for 10 qualifying days while normally working 5 days a week:

80% of £500 is £400, so the lower £123.25 weekly cap applies.
All 10 qualifying days are paid at £24.65 each = £246.50 of SSP.

SSP counts as earnings, so it goes through PAYE. If your employer also operates contractual sick pay, you usually get the higher of the two. Model your wider take-home with the salary calculator.

Sick Pay FAQs

How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27?

The lower of 80% of average weekly earnings or £123.25 a week, paid for qualifying days from the first full sick day for up to 28 weeks. At the cap on a 5-day week, that is £24.65 a day.

When does SSP start?

For absences starting on or after 6 April 2026, SSP starts on the first full day of sickness. The old three unpaid waiting days no longer apply; transitional rules can apply to an absence that began earlier.

How is the daily rate worked out?

Take the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings and £123.25, then divide by qualifying days per week. At the cap: 5 days = £24.65/day; 3 days uses an unrounded rate of about £41.0833/day.

How long can I get SSP?

Up to 28 weeks for a single or linked period. After that you may claim Universal Credit or ESA. Use the take-home pay calculator for the net figure.