Statutory sick pay

In the United Kingdom Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by their employer to all employees who normally pay National Insurance contributions (NIC), often referred to as earning above the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) if they are sick for a period longer than 4 consecutive days but less than 28 weeks. The first 3 days of sickness are called waiting days. SSP is not paid to a number of categories of employees, including:

If the individual is unable to work due to medical reasons for longer than the 28 weeks, entitlement to SSP ceases, but the person may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.

Section 151 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 requires employers to make payments.

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