What is the SSP three waiting days rule?

Full answer

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has a built-in three-day gap before payments begin, which regularly catches employees out when they fall ill for the first time. **How the three waiting days work** The first three "qualifying days" (the days you would normally have worked) of any period of sickness absence are unpaid under SSP -- these are called waiting days. SSP only becomes payable from the fourth qualifying day onwards, for up to 28 weeks in total. **Weekly rate** For 2026/27, SSP is paid at a flat weekly rate of £123.25, provided you earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit of £129 per week on average and meet the other eligibility conditions. **When waiting days do not apply again -- linked periods** If you have a further period of sickness absence within eight weeks of a previous SSP-qualifying period, the two periods "link" together and are treated as one continuous spell -- waiting days are only served once at the very start of the linked period, not again for the second spell. **Employer sick pay may differ** Many employers offer contractual (occupational) sick pay that is more generous than SSP and may cover the waiting days, paying full or part salary from day one -- always check your contract or staff handbook, since SSP is only the legal minimum, not necessarily what your employer actually pays. **Worked example** Someone is off sick for five working days. Days one to three are unpaid waiting days. SSP becomes payable from day four, so they receive two days of SSP for that spell (roughly £123.25 divided across their normal working pattern for those two days). If they fall sick again within eight weeks, the new absence links to the first, and no further waiting days apply. **Practical tip** If you are unsure whether your absence links to an earlier one, ask your employer's payroll or HR team to confirm -- getting this wrong can mean you are underpaid SSP you were actually entitled to.

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