Statutory sick pay calculator 2026

This statutory sick pay calculator works out your SSP under the rules that apply from 6 April 2026: £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, paid from the first day you are off sick. Enter your average pay, the days you normally work and how many of them you were off – the calculator shows the weekly rate, the daily rate and the total SSP.

Example: Average earnings (before tax) 500 £ · Earnings are: per week · Days you normally work per week: 5 days · Working days off sick 10 → Statutory Sick Pay: £246.50. Source: SSCBA 1992 s. 157, Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, section 157(1) and (3): weekly rate the lower of £123.25 and 80% of normal weekly earnings, daily rate = weekly rate ÷ qualifying days; substituted from 6 April 2026 by the Employment Rights Act 2025, s. 11 (read 08.10.2026). Updated: .

£
gross pay averaged over the 8 weeks before your sickness started
“qualifying days” agreed with your employer
only the days you would normally have worked
My ToolboxYour inputs are saved in this browser only.

Result

Statutory Sick Pay
£246.50
SSP per week
£123.25
SSP per working day
£24.65
Calculation
ItemAmountNote
Average weekly earnings£500.00as entered
80% of average weekly earnings£400.00
Weekly SSP rate£123.25the standard rate of £123.25 is lower
Daily SSP rate£24.65weekly rate ÷ 5 qualifying days, rounded up to the penny
Days paid10
Statutory Sick Pay£246.50maximum for 28 weeks: £3,451.00
Since 6 April 2026 SSP is paid from the first day of sickness and there is no minimum earnings level. Sickness periods no more than 8 weeks apart count as one, so the 28 weeks are shared. Estimate based on the same number of qualifying days every week. Your employer may pay more under a company sick pay scheme, but never less than SSP. SSP is taxed like normal pay.

How it is calculated

From 6 April 2026 Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 28 weeks. The Employment Rights Act 2025 removed the three unpaid “waiting days” and the minimum earnings level (the Lower Earnings Limit), so SSP is now paid from the first day off sick and also to low earners.

How SSP is calculated

  1. Work out your average weekly earnings over the 8 weeks before you fell ill (monthly pay × 12 ÷ 52).
  2. The weekly rate is the lower of £123.25 and 80% of that average.
  3. The daily rate is the weekly rate divided by your qualifying days – the days you normally work.
  4. Multiply it by the qualifying days you are off sick. HMRC’s tables round amounts up to the next penny.

Daily rates 2026/27 at the standard rate

Qualifying days per weekDaily rate
7£17.61
6£20.55
5£24.65
4£30.82
3£41.09
2£61.63
1£123.25

Examples

Need your pay after tax? Try the UK take-home pay calculator. Expecting a baby? See the maternity pay calculator.

Limits

Not included: changing work patterns during the sickness, several jobs (each employer pays SSP separately), sickness that started before 6 April 2026 and agency or zero-hours specifics. SSP is paid by your employer through payroll and is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance. An estimate for 2026/27, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much is statutory sick pay in 2026?

£123.25 a week from 6 April 2026, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. It is paid for up to 28 weeks.

Is SSP paid from day 1 now?

Yes. Since 6 April 2026 the three waiting days no longer apply, so SSP starts on the first working day you are off sick.

Do I get SSP if I earn less than £123.25 a week?

Yes. The Lower Earnings Limit was removed; you get 80% of your average weekly earnings. On £145 a week that is £116 a week.

How is the SSP daily rate worked out?

Divide the weekly rate by the number of days you normally work. On 5 working days the standard daily rate is £123.25 ÷ 5 = £24.65.

How much SSP for 2 weeks off?

At the standard rate it is 2 × £123.25 = £246.50 – for example 10 days off when you work 5 days a week.

What is the most SSP I can get?

28 weeks at £123.25, which is £3,451. Sickness periods no more than 8 weeks apart are added together.

Sources and legal basis

As of: · Editorial policy

Related tools