Statutory sick pay

Havering Welfare Benefits adviser Lorraine Moss today writes in the Havering Daily:

It is always good to know what help is available if we find ourselves in a position where we are unable to work due to illness.

Eligibility (Source Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) : Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you must:● be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer● earn an average of at least £120 per week● have been ill or self-isolating for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days)

How many days you can get SSP for depends on why you’re off work.

Agency workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.

Telling your employer

You must usually tell your employer you’re unable to work before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one).

You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer in time.

Exceptions

You will not qualify if you:● have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks)● are getting Statutory Maternity Pay● are self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK and do not need to self-isolate for any other reason

You can still qualify if you started your job recently and you have not received 8 weeks’ pay yet. Ask your employer to find out more.

You can still qualify if you’re on furlough.

Linked periods of sickness

If you have regular periods of sickness, they may count as ‘linked’. To be linked, the periods must:● last 4 or more days each● be 8 weeks or less apart

You’re no longer eligible for SSP if you have a continuous series of linked periods that lasts more than 3 years.

Fit notes and asking for proof

You only have to give your employer a fit note (sometimes called a sick note) if you’re off sick for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days).

You can get a fit note from your doctor or hospital doctor. If your employer agrees, a similar document can be provided by a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead. This is called an Allied Health Professional (AHP) Health and Work Report.

Proof if you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’re self-isolating and cannot work because of COVID-19, you can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111 if you’re off work for 7 or more days. You do not have to go to your doctor or a hospital.

If you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19, your notification is proof.

If you’ve been advised by your doctor or healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery, your letter confirming the date of your procedure is proof.

You cannot get SSP if you’re self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK and do not need to self-isolate for any other reason.

Proof if you were ‘shielding’ because of COVID-19

Shielding has stopped in the UK.

You can apply for a replacement shielding note if you need one. You can only get a replacement note if you previously got one to show that you were shielding at any time from 21 February to 31 March 2021.

You can no longer apply for a new shielding note.

If you’re not eligible or your SSP ends

You may be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You can use form SSP1 to support your application.

If your SSP is ending your employer must send you form SSP1 either:● within 7 days of your SSP ending, if it ends unexpectedly while you’re still sick● on or before the beginning of the 23rd week, if your SSP is expected to end before your sickness does

If you do not qualify for SSP your employer must send you form SSP1 within 7 days of you going off sick.

What you’ll get (Source Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) : What you’ll get – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk))

You can get £96.35 a week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks.

If you’re off work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

How many days you can get SSP for depends on why you’re off work.

If you’re self-isolating because you or someone you live with has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating if you started on or after 13 March.

If you started self-isolating before 13 March, you can get SSP from:● the fourth day you were sick – if you had COVID-19 symptoms● 13 March – if you were self-isolating because someone you live with had symptoms

If you’re self-isolating because of contact with someone with COVID-19

You should self-isolate if you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19.

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating from 28 May.

If you’re self-isolating because someone in your ‘support bubble’ or extended household has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19

You should self-isolate if someone in your ‘support bubble’ (or your ‘extended household’ if you live in Scotland or Wales) has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19.

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating from 6 July.

You are not eligible for SSP for any days away from work before 6 July.

If you’re self-isolating before surgery

If you’ve been advised by your doctor or a healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery, you can get SSP.

You must self-isolate for at least 4 days (including non-working days) to be eligible for SSP.

You can get SSP for every day you are self-isolating.

You are not eligible for SSP for any day you were self-isolating before 26 August.

If you’re off sick for another reason

You can get SSP from the fourth day you’re off sick.

The days you’re off sick when you normally would have worked are called ‘qualifying days’. If you’re eligible, you’ll get SSP for all your qualifying days, except for the first 3. These are called ‘waiting days’.

You only get paid for waiting days if you’ve already received SSP within the last 8 weeks, and that included a 3-day waiting period.

Check you’re eligible for SSP.

How you’re paid

SSP is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages, for example weekly or monthly.

If you have more than one job you may get SSP from each employer.

Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

If you think you are not getting the right amount of SSP, talk to your employer. If you’re still not happy, contact the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enquiry line.

Universal Credit

You can also receive Universal Credit at the same time that you are being paid SSP.  The SSP is treated the same way as earned income so 63 pence is deducted for every pound that you receive (this is after the earning disregard if you receive the work allowance.   Please see Getting money when you’re off work sick – Citizens Advice.