Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a benefit provided to employees in the UK who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is a mandatory payment that employers must make to their employees who meet the eligibility criteria But when exactly does statutory sick pay start?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors Firstly, an employee must have been off work due to illness or injury for at least four consecutive days (including non-working days) in order to qualify for SSP This is known as the “waiting period” and it is a common requirement for most sick pay schemes.
Once the waiting period has been met, statutory sick pay will usually start from the fourth day of absence This means that employees will not receive SSP for the first three days that they are off work due to illness or injury However, some employers may have a more generous sick pay policy that provides payment from the first day of absence It’s important for employees to be aware of their company’s sick pay policy so they know what to expect.
In order to be eligible for SSP, employees must also earn at least £120 per week before tax This is known as the lower earnings limit If an employee earns less than this amount, they will not be entitled to statutory sick pay Additionally, employees must have informed their employer of their absence and provided any necessary documentation, such as a doctor’s note, in order to receive SSP.
It’s worth noting that SSP is paid by employers, not the government The current rate of SSP is £96.35 per week and it is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks when does statutory sick pay start. Employers are required to pay SSP to eligible employees for as long as they are off work due to illness or injury, up to the 28-week limit After this point, employees may be able to apply for other benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), if they are still unable to work.
In some cases, employees may be eligible for SSP from more than one employer if they have more than one job Each employer will assess the employee’s eligibility for SSP based on their individual sick pay policy and the hours they work for that employer It’s important for employees to inform all of their employers if they are unable to work due to illness or injury so that they can receive any sick pay they are entitled to.
Employees who are self-employed are not eligible for SSP as they do not have an employer to pay it However, they may be able to claim other benefits, such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, if they are unable to work due to illness or injury Self-employed individuals should check with the relevant government departments to see what support is available to them in these circumstances.
In conclusion, statutory sick pay starts after an employee has been off work due to illness or injury for at least four consecutive days It is paid from the fourth day of absence and lasts for a maximum of 28 weeks Employees must earn at least £120 per week before tax, inform their employer of their absence, and provide any necessary documentation to qualify for SSP It is paid by employers, not the government, and employees may be eligible for SSP from more than one employer if they have multiple jobs Self-employed individuals are not eligible for SSP but may be able to claim other benefits if they are unable to work due to illness or injury Understanding the criteria for statutory sick pay is important for both employees and employers to ensure that employees receive the support they need during periods of ill health.