As we enter the new tax year, there are changes to the statutory sick pay (SSP) system that both employees and employers need to be aware of The April 2026 changes bring updates to the rates and eligibility criteria for SSP, impacting how individuals can claim financial support when they are unable to work due to illness.
SSP is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury The UK government sets the rules and rates for SSP, and it is a legal requirement for employers to pay SSP to eligible employees The amount of SSP paid is based on the employee’s average weekly earnings, with a minimum and maximum rate set by the government.
For the tax year starting in April 2026, there are several key changes to SSP that will affect both employers and employees The main changes include an increase in the SSP rate, changes to the eligibility criteria for SSP, and updates to the waiting period before SSP can be claimed.
The most significant change to SSP in April 2026 is the increase in the SSP rate From April 2026, the standard rate of SSP will be £102 per week, up from the previous rate of £96.35 per week This increase in the SSP rate aims to provide more financial support to employees who are off work due to illness, ensuring they can still meet their financial obligations while they recover.
Another important change to SSP in April 2026 is the updates to the eligibility criteria for SSP Under the new rules, employees will need to have been off work due to illness for at least four consecutive days before they can start claiming SSP This change aims to prevent abuse of the SSP system and ensure that only genuinely ill employees are able to claim SSP.
In addition to the changes in the SSP rate and eligibility criteria, there are also updates to the waiting period before SSP can be claimed statutory sick pay april 2026. Under the new rules, employees will need to wait for three consecutive days of absence due to illness before they can start receiving SSP This waiting period is known as the waiting days and is designed to ensure that SSP is only paid for more extended periods of illness, rather than short-term absences.
Employers play a crucial role in administering SSP to their employees and ensuring that they comply with the statutory requirements It is essential for employers to be aware of the changes to SSP in April 2026 and to update their payroll systems accordingly Employers must also keep accurate records of SSP payments made to employees and ensure that they are paying the correct amount of SSP based on the employee’s average weekly earnings.
Employees who are off work due to illness should also be aware of their rights to SSP and how to claim financial support If an employee is unable to work due to illness for four consecutive days or more, they should inform their employer as soon as possible and provide the necessary documentation to support their claim for SSP Employees should also keep track of their sick days and SSP payments to ensure that they are receiving the correct amount of financial support.
In conclusion, the changes to SSP in April 2026 bring updates to the rates and eligibility criteria for SSP, impacting how employees can claim financial support when they are unable to work due to illness Employers and employees must be aware of the changes to SSP and ensure that they comply with the statutory requirements By understanding the updates to SSP in April 2026, both employers and employees can navigate the system more effectively and ensure that employees receive the financial support they need when they are off work due to illness.