statutory sick pay (SSP) is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or disability. It is a legal requirement in the UK, aimed at providing employees with financial support when they are unable to work due to health reasons. In this article, we will discuss the basics of statutory sick pay and everything you need to know about it.
What is statutory sick pay (SSP)?
Statutory Sick Pay is a statutory benefit paid by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness. It is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks and is intended to provide financial support to employees who are too ill to work. The amount of SSP paid is set by the government and is currently £96.35 per week. To be eligible for SSP, employees must earn at least £120 per week and have been off sick for at least four days in a row, including weekends and public holidays.
Who is eligible for Statutory Sick Pay?
Not all employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay. To be eligible, employees must meet certain criteria set by the government. These criteria include:
– Being classified as an employee, rather than a contractor or self-employed individual
– Earning at least £120 per week on average
– Being off sick for at least four days in a row, including weekends and public holidays
– Not being in receipt of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
In addition, employees must inform their employer of their illness and provide the necessary documentation, such as a doctor’s note, to support their claim for SSP.
How is Statutory Sick Pay calculated?
Statutory Sick Pay is paid at a flat rate of £96.35 per week, regardless of the employee’s salary. It is paid weekly in arrears, meaning that employees will receive their SSP after their first week off sick. Employers are responsible for calculating and paying SSP to eligible employees, and they can recover some or all of the SSP costs from the government if they meet certain conditions.
It is worth noting that some employers offer sick pay schemes that are more generous than SSP. In such cases, employees will be entitled to the higher amount of pay, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set by their employer.
How long can you receive Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay can be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks, for any period of sickness that lasts more than four days in a row. If an employee is still unable to work after 28 weeks, they may be eligible for other benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
During the 28-week period, employers are required to continue paying SSP to eligible employees, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. If an employee’s sickness lasts for more than 28 weeks, the responsibility for providing financial support may shift to the government, through ESA or other benefits.
What happens if you are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay?
If an employee is not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, they may still be entitled to other benefits, such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. These benefits are designed to provide financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to illness or disability, and who do not qualify for SSP.
Employees should speak to their employer or a benefits adviser to find out what benefits they may be entitled to, and how to make a claim. It is important to seek advice as soon as possible, as there may be time limits for making a claim for certain benefits.
In conclusion, Statutory Sick Pay is a legal requirement in the UK, designed to provide financial support to employees who are unable to work due to illness. It is paid at a flat rate of £96.35 per week and can be claimed for a maximum of 28 weeks. Employees must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for SSP, and they should inform their employer of their illness as soon as possible. If you are not eligible for SSP, there are other benefits available to provide financial support during periods of sickness.