SSP changed materially in April 2026
This page reflects the updated SSP framework now used from 6 April 2026, where eligible employees can receive the lower of the flat weekly rate or 80% of average weekly earnings. That makes an updated estimator genuinely useful because older SSP pages can now be wrong.
The calculator is intentionally simple because the core search intent is usually immediate: what is the likely weekly amount, and what does a period off sick add up to.
Where real-world payroll can still differ
Employers calculate SSP using average weekly earnings, qualifying days and payroll timing rules. If your absences cross the April 2026 change point or involve linked periods, the real payment can differ from this clean estimate.
There is also a separate question of whether an employer offers contractual sick pay. Many people search SSP when what they really need is to compare the statutory minimum with their workplace scheme.
Why SSP fits naturally on a broader benefits site
Statutory Sick Pay sits at the boundary between payroll and the benefits system. If SSP is low or ending, the next search is often ESA, Universal Credit or PIP depending on how long the condition lasts and whether work is still possible.
That is why this page is included in the benefits suite rather than treated as an isolated employment-law tool.