SSP for 2026/27: £123.25 a week or 80% of your earnings, whichever is lower.
Rules from 6 April 2026: SSP is paid from the first full day of sickness, there is no lower earnings limit, and it lasts up to 28 weeks. Absences within 8 weeks of each other link together. Your employer may pay more under a company sick pay scheme. SSP is taxable.
Off work ill and wondering what you will be paid? This statutory sick pay calculator applies the rules that took effect on 6 April 2026, which are set out in the GOV.UK guide to Statutory Sick Pay, to show your weekly rate, daily rate and the total SSP for your absence. It also shows how far SSP falls short of your normal pay.
Quick answer: A statutory sick pay calculator for 2026/27 applies the rule that SSP is £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, paid from the first full day of sickness. A five day worker on the full rate gets £24.65 a day, and SSP lasts up to 28 weeks in one period of sickness.
In This Guide
What Is Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum your employer must pay when you are too ill to work. From 6 April 2026 it is £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. It is now paid from your first full day of sickness rather than the fourth, and the lower earnings limit has gone, so every employee can qualify however little they earn.
SSP is paid for qualifying days, which are the days you normally work. The daily rate is the weekly rate divided by your qualifying days, so a five day worker on the full rate gets £123.25 ÷ 5 = £24.65 a day. Ten working days off sick is therefore £246.50. SSP lasts for up to 28 weeks in one period of sickness.
How Do You Use the Statutory Sick Pay Calculator?
Step 1: Enter Your Earnings
You use the calculator by choosing weekly, monthly or yearly and entering your average gross pay before tax for that period. Choose weekly, monthly or yearly, then enter your average gross pay before tax. SSP uses your average over the 8 weeks before you fell ill, so use a typical figure if your pay varies. If you are paid by the hour, the hourly to annual salary calculator helps you find a yearly figure to enter here.
Step 2: Add Your Days
Enter how many days you normally work each week. These are your qualifying days. Then enter the number of working days you are off sick, not counting weekends or other days you would not have worked.
Step 3: Include Any Linked Absence
If you were off sick within the last 8 weeks, the two absences link and count towards the same 28 week limit. Enter the SSP days already paid so the calculator knows how many remain. Leave it at 0 for a new absence.
Step 4: Read Your Results
You will see the total SSP, your weekly and daily rates, the days paid and the days left before SSP runs out. The summary compares SSP with your usual pay. Parents planning time off can use the maternity pay calculator to compare SSP with Statutory Maternity Pay for the same weeks.
How Much Statutory Sick Pay Will You Get in 2026/27?
| Weekly earnings | Weekly SSP | Days a week | 10 days off sick |
|---|---|---|---|
| £450 | £123.25 | 5 | £246.50 |
| £200 | £123.25 | 4 | £308.13 |
| £120 | £96.00 (80%) | 3 | £320.00 |
| £80 | £64.00 (80%) | 2 | £320.00 |
Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week in 2026/27, or 80% of earnings for lower earners, so someone earning £120 a week receives £96.00 of weekly SSP. You must tell your employer you are ill by their deadline, or within 7 days if they have not set one, and give a fit note after 7 days in a row. The Acas guidance on Statutory Sick Pay covers what to do if your employer refuses to pay, and many employers pay more than SSP through a company scheme.
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How we checked this tool: the Tools Veria Editorial Team built this tool by hand, checked it against the official rules or published standards where they apply, and tested it against worked examples. Results are estimates for planning, not personal financial or tax advice. Read our editorial policy and disclaimer, or report an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27?
From 6 April 2026 SSP is £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Is SSP paid from the first day off sick?
Yes. Since 6 April 2026 SSP is paid from your first full day of sickness absence. The old three waiting days no longer apply.
Do I need to earn a minimum amount to get SSP?
No. The lower earnings limit was removed on 6 April 2026, so all employees can get SSP. Lower earners receive 80% of their average weekly earnings instead of the full rate.
How is the daily rate of SSP worked out?
Divide the weekly SSP rate by the number of days you normally work in a week. A five day worker on £123.25 a week gets £24.65 a day.
How long can I get Statutory Sick Pay for?
Up to 28 weeks in one period of sickness. Absences within 8 weeks of each other count as one period.
Is Statutory Sick Pay taxed?
Yes. SSP is paid through payroll like normal wages, so Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted if your pay is high enough.