SSP Calculator UK
Calculate SSP instantly: Whether you're an employer, payroll administrator, or employee, our ssp calculator gives you the precise entitlement based on average weekly earnings and qualifying days (no waiting days from 6 April 2026). Understand how is ssp calculated for complex contracts, including linked periods and manual payroll checks. Trusted by UK businesses for 2026 compliance.
HMRC-style SSP Calculator
Enter employee details below — uses official SSP weekly rate 2026/27 (£123.25, or 80% of AWE if lower). From 6 April 2026 there is no earnings threshold and no waiting days — SSP is paid from the first qualifying day of sickness.
📋 Estimated SSP entitlement
*This tool gives an estimate only. Final liability depends on exact qualifying days and HMRC rules. Always verify with official HMRC guidance.
What is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)? UK 2026 rules
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum payment employers must provide to eligible employees who are unable to work due to sickness. For the 2026/27 tax year, SSP is £123.25 a week or 80% of average weekly earnings (AWE), whichever is lower (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027). From 6 April 2026 there is no lower earnings limit and no waiting days. SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks in any period of incapacity.
Our ssp calculator uk follows the exact method used by HMRC: daily SSP rate (lower of £123.25 or 80% of AWE), no waiting days, and capped at 28 weeks. Understanding how to calculate ssp manually helps avoid payroll errors.
SSP Eligibility Criteria 2026 — quick checklist
- ✔ Employee is classed as an employee (not self-employed)
- ✔ Has done some work for the employer
- ✔ No minimum average weekly earnings (lower earnings limit removed from 6 April 2026)
- ✔ Has been off sick for at least one full day (the 4-day rule was removed from 6 April 2026)
- ✔ Has given proper notice (if required) & self-certified after 7 days
From 6 April 2026 low earners are no longer excluded: they receive SSP at 80% of their AWE. Use our am i entitled to ssp calculator logic above to verify.
How to Calculate SSP: Step-by-Step (2026 method)
Step 1: Determine average weekly earnings (AWE)
Add total earnings in the 8 weeks before the sick period, divide by 8. There is no minimum AWE from 6 April 2026; weekly SSP is the lower of £123.25 or 80% of AWE. Use the calculate awe for ssp method exactly.
Step 2: Identify qualifying days (days employee usually works)
Full-time standard is 5 qualifying days/week. For part-time/zero hours, look at the contracted or regular pattern.
Step 3: Check linked periods (no waiting days from 6 April 2026)
From 6 April 2026 there are no waiting days: SSP is paid from the first qualifying day of sickness. A linked period (another sickness within 8 weeks) counts towards the same 28-week maximum.
Step 4: Calculate daily SSP rate
Daily SSP = Weekly SSP rate (£123.25, or 80% of AWE if lower) ÷ number of qualifying days per week. For 5-day week: £24.65/day.
Step 5: Multiply payable days by daily rate
Payable days = total sick days that fall on qualifying days (no waiting days from 6 April 2026). Maximum 28 weeks of SSP.
| Scenario (2026/27) | Weekly SSP rate | Daily SSP (5-day week) | AWE rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard full-time | £123.25 | £24.65 | No threshold – 80% of AWE if lower |
| Part-time (3 days/week) | £123.25 (pro-rata daily) | £41.08/day (123.25/3) | No threshold – 80% of AWE if lower |
| Zero hours / irregular | Average weekly earnings determine eligibility | Daily rate = SSP weekly rate / avg days worked | Check 8-week average |
Special cases: part-time, zero hours, shift workers
Calculate SSP for part time workers: Use the same qualifying days method. If a part-time employee normally works 3 days a week, daily SSP = £123.25 ÷ 3 = £41.08 (or 80% of AWE ÷ 3 if lower). No waiting days apply from 6 April 2026.
Zero hours contract SSP calculation: Determine AWE based on last 8 weeks where work was performed. If they had at least 8 weeks of earnings, average them. There is no earnings threshold from 6 April 2026 — SSP is the lower of £123.25 or 80% of AWE. Use our calculate ssp for zero hours contract logic.
Shift workers / variable patterns: Qualifying days are any days the employee was contracted to work. SSP daily rate uses their usual number of qualifying days in a week. The ssp average earnings calculator above adjusts automatically.
To calculate ssp manually, pay from the first qualifying day (no waiting days from 6 April 2026) and ensure you use the correct daily rate. For employees who work different days each week, use the 8-week average of days worked to determine “usual qualifying days”. HMRC accepts this method.
Linked periods and SSP recovery (for employers)
If an employee returns to work for less than 8 weeks and becomes sick again, it’s considered a linked period and counts towards the same 28-week maximum. Employers cannot recover SSP from HMRC in 2026/27, so no ssp recovery calculator is needed.
SSP Calculation Table 2026: AWE vs weekly entitlement
| AWE (weekly) | SSP eligibility? | Weekly SSP (max) | Daily rate (5-day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £154.07+ | ✅ Eligible | £123.25 (flat rate) | £24.65 |
| Below £154.07 | ✅ Eligible | 80% of AWE (e.g. £100 AWE → £80.00) | £16.00 for £100 AWE |
| £200 (part-time, 3 days) | ✅ Eligible | £123.25/week (daily rate £41.08) | Pro-rata |
Note: SSP is capped at 28 weeks in a single period of incapacity. Use our ssp calculation uk tool to automate complex patterns.
Step-by-step: how do you calculate SSP for your payroll
- Confirm employee has been off sick for at least one full day (from 6 April 2026 the PIW no longer needs 4 consecutive days).
- Calculate AWE over the relevant 8-week period (include all pay before tax).
- Weekly SSP = the lower of £123.25 or 80% of AWE (no lower earnings limit from 6 April 2026).
- Identify qualifying days and determine number of days of sick absence that are qualifying days.
- Do not subtract waiting days – they were removed for absences from 6 April 2026.
- Multiply payable qualifying days by the daily SSP rate.
- Ensure SSP does not exceed 28 weeks total. Stop paying after 28 weeks.
For directors or employees with multiple jobs, each employer must assess separately. Our employer ssp calculator gives consistent figures.
Frequently asked questions about SSP
For part-time staff, you use the same weekly SSP rate (£123.25, or 80% of AWE if lower) but divide by their usual number of qualifying days per week. For example, if they work 3 days/week, daily SSP rate = £123.25 ÷ 3 = £41.08.
There is no waiting period for sickness from 6 April 2026: SSP is due from the first qualifying day. (Before 6 April 2026 the first 3 qualifying days were unpaid unless the period was linked.)
Calculate average weekly earnings over the previous 8 weeks in which the employee worked. There is no minimum earnings threshold from 6 April 2026; weekly SSP is the lower of £123.25 or 80% of AWE. Daily rate = weekly SSP rate ÷ average qualifying days per week based on actual work pattern.
No. HMRC states that employers cannot recover Statutory Sick Pay for 2026/27, so SSP paid is an employer cost.
COVID-19 specific rules ended, but from 6 April 2026 there are no waiting days for any sickness: SSP is paid from the first qualifying day. Always check HMRC latest.
The SSP weekly rate is £123.25, or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower. Daily rate depends on qualifying days. Maximum 28 weeks of SSP in any sickness period.
HMRC provides a tool, but our gov ssp calculator style embedded above matches official methodology and includes 2026 rates.
Important disclaimer – SSP estimates
TotalCalcHub SSP calculator is for guidance only. Employers must follow UK legislation and HMRC guidance. We do not guarantee absolute accuracy; always consult a qualified accountant or HMRC for final liability. 2026/27 figures use the official rate for 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027 (£123.25 or 80% of AWE, whichever is lower); absences that began before 6 April 2026 follow transitional rules.