Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a benefit provided by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury As an employee, it is important to know when SSP starts and how it applies to your situation In this article, we will discuss the criteria for eligibility and when SSP payments begin.
SSP is a legal requirement in the UK, and it is paid by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness To qualify for SSP, an employee must meet certain criteria Firstly, the employee must be classified as an employee, meaning they have a contract of employment with the employer Self-employed individuals and independent contractors are not entitled to SSP.
Secondly, the employee must be earning at least £120 per week before tax This is known as the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) and is reviewed annually Employees who earn less than this threshold are not eligible for SSP If an employee meets these criteria, they are entitled to receive SSP for up to 28 weeks.
Additionally, the employee must be unable to work due to illness for at least four consecutive days, including non-working days This is known as the “qualifying period” for SSP If an employee is off sick for less than four days, they are not eligible for SSP The qualifying period begins on the first day of sickness absence and continues for the next three days.
Once the qualifying period has been met, SSP will start on the fourth day of absence This is known as the “waiting days” for SSP when does statutory sick pay start. The first three days of sickness absence are known as waiting days because they are waiting to be eligible for SSP Employees are not entitled to SSP during this period.
It is important to note that SSP is not paid for the first three days of sickness absence, as mentioned above However, some employers may offer company sick pay or other benefits during this period Employees should check their employment contract or company policy to see if they are entitled to any additional payments.
After the waiting days have been completed, SSP payments will start on the fourth day of sickness absence Employers are required to pay SSP for up to 28 weeks, unless the employee returns to work before this time SSP is paid at a rate of £96.35 per week (as of April 2021) and is tax-free.
If an employee’s sickness absence continues beyond 28 weeks, they may be eligible for other benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Employees should contact their local Jobcentre Plus office or visit the government website for more information on ESA and other benefits.
In summary, Statutory Sick Pay starts on the fourth day of sickness absence, after the employee has been off work for at least four consecutive days The first three days are known as waiting days, during which SSP is not paid To qualify for SSP, employees must meet certain criteria, including earning at least £120 per week and being unable to work due to illness.
It is important for employees to familiarize themselves with their rights and entitlements regarding SSP If you have any questions about SSP or your eligibility, it is advisable to speak to your employer’s HR department or seek advice from a professional advisor Sick leave can be a stressful time for employees, and knowing when SSP starts can help alleviate some of the financial worries during this period.