Estimate how much Statutory Sick Pay you would get for a spell of sickness. Enter the weekly rate, your qualifying days per week and the days you are off, and see the daily rate and total.
Results are estimates for planning. Check the figures before you make a financial or health decision.
How the Statutory Sick Pay calculator works
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a weekly amount that GOV.UK sets each April. The default in the tool is the 2026/27 rate, but it is an editable input so you can update it. SSP is the lower of that weekly rate and 80% of your average weekly earnings. If you enter your earnings, the tool applies that test.
The daily rate is the weekly rate divided by your qualifying days per week, the days you are normally required to work. The total is the daily rate multiplied by the qualifying days you are off sick that are paid. SSP lasts for a maximum of 28 weeks, which the tool treats as 28 times your qualifying days.
From April 2026 SSP is described as payable from the first day of sickness, replacing the old three waiting days. That detail is from secondary sources, so the tool lets you choose either rule and you should check GOV.UK. Eligibility rules apply, and your employer may pay more under your contract.
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| SSP weekly rate | £123.25 |
| Qualifying days per week | 5 |
| Qualifying days off sick | 10 |
| Average weekly earnings (optional) | £ |
| Waiting days | Paid from day one (from 6 April 2026) |
Statutory Sick Pay: £246.50
| Weekly rate used | £123.25 |
|---|---|
| Daily rate (weekly ÷ 5) | £24.65 |
| Days paid | 10 |
| Maximum for 28 weeks | £3,451.00 |
Tips and common mistakes
Count only the days you would normally have worked, not every day of illness, and include part days as your employer does. Check your contract: many employers pay more than SSP, and this tool shows only the statutory minimum. If you are off sick repeatedly, spells within eight weeks of each other can link together, which affects the 28-week limit, so ask your employer. SSP is paid like wages, so tax and National Insurance are taken. If you do not qualify for SSP, you may be able to claim other support, which you can check on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I get SSP?
Up to 28 weeks. The tool treats this as 28 times your qualifying days per week.
Is SSP paid from day one?
From 6 April 2026 it is described as payable from the first day of sickness, which is from secondary sources. Check GOV.UK, and use the waiting-days option in the tool if an older rule applies to you.
Do I need to earn a minimum to get SSP?
Eligibility rules apply, and the earnings test has been reported as removed from April 2026. Check GOV.UK to confirm whether you qualify.
Guides that help
- Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay explained
- National Insurance for employees: what you pay and why
- How to work out your take-home pay from a UK salary