Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a form of financial support provided to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is a legal requirement for employers to pay SSP to eligible employees for up to 28 weeks The amount of SSP that an employee is entitled to receive is set by the government and is subject to change each year.
So, how much is SSP? In this article, we will explore the current rates of SSP, who is eligible to receive it, and how employers can go about paying it to their employees.
The current rate of SSP in the UK is £96.35 per week This amount is paid for up to 28 weeks and is tax-free SSP is paid by employers in the same way as wages, usually on the employee’s regular payday If an employee is off work due to illness for more than 4 consecutive days (including non-working days), they may be entitled to SSP.
To be eligible for SSP, an employee must meet certain criteria They must be classified as an employee and have done some work for their employer They must also earn at least £120 per week on average Additionally, they must have been off work due to illness for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days).
SSP is not paid for the first 3 days that an employee is off work due to illness, known as ‘waiting days’ If an employee is off work due to illness for more than 7 days, they must provide their employer with a ‘fit note’ from a doctor A fit note will detail the employee’s condition and how long they are expected to be off work.
Employers are responsible for paying SSP to their eligible employees They can recoup some or all of the SSP costs from the government through the Statutory Payments Scheme how much is ssp. Employers can claim back up to 2 weeks of SSP per employee for each sickness period To claim back SSP, employers must keep records of the employee’s illness, pay SSP at the correct rate, and make the claim within 6 years of the end of the 2-week period.
It is important for employers to comply with SSP regulations to avoid potential legal issues Failure to pay SSP to eligible employees can result in fines and penalties from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Employers who fail to pay the correct amount of SSP, or who discriminate against employees for taking time off due to illness, may face legal action.
Employees who believe they are entitled to SSP but are not receiving it should first speak to their employer If the issue is not resolved, they can contact HMRC for assistance Employees can also seek advice from trade unions or employment law advisors if they believe their rights are being violated.
In conclusion, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a valuable form of financial support for employees who are unable to work due to illness The current rate of SSP is £96.35 per week, paid for up to 28 weeks To be eligible for SSP, employees must meet certain criteria, including earning at least £120 per week on average and being off work due to illness for at least 4 consecutive days Employers are responsible for paying SSP to eligible employees and can claim back some or all of the costs from the government Compliance with SSP regulations is essential to avoid legal issues and penalties If you are unsure about your entitlement to SSP, speak to your employer or seek advice from HMRC or a legal professional.