As April 2026 approaches, it’s important for employers and employees alike to understand the changes to statutory sick pay that will come into effect Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a statutory benefit paid by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury In this article, we will discuss the key updates to SSP for April 2026 and what it means for both employers and employees.
One of the main changes to SSP in April 2026 is the increase in the weekly rate of SSP From April 2026, the weekly rate of SSP will rise to £115 This means that employees who are eligible for SSP will receive £115 per week if they are unable to work due to illness or injury This increase in the SSP rate is intended to help employees who are off work due to sickness to cover their living expenses while they are unable to work.
Another important change to SSP in April 2026 is the extension of the waiting period before employees are eligible to receive SSP Currently, employees must wait for four consecutive days of sickness before they qualify for SSP However, from April 2026, this waiting period will increase to five consecutive days This means that employees will need to be off work due to illness for five days before they can start receiving SSP.
It’s also worth noting that employees will be able to receive SSP for a maximum of 28 weeks in a single period of sickness After 28 weeks, employees may be eligible for other benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Employers should be aware of these changes to ensure that they are providing the correct benefits to their employees when they are off work due to illness.
Employers should also be aware of their obligations when it comes to SSP in April 2026 statutory sick pay april 2026. As of April 2026, employers will be required to provide employees with a written statement detailing their entitlement to SSP when they are off work due to illness This statement should outline the employee’s eligibility for SSP, the rate of SSP they will receive, and how long they can receive SSP for.
In addition to providing employees with a written statement, employers will also be required to keep accurate records of SSP payments and ensure that they are paying the correct amount of SSP to eligible employees Failure to comply with these obligations can result in penalties for employers, so it’s crucial for employers to familiarize themselves with the changes to SSP in April 2026 and ensure that they are meeting their responsibilities.
Employees should also be aware of their rights when it comes to SSP in April 2026 If an employee believes that they are being denied SSP unfairly, they have the right to challenge their employer’s decision Employees can appeal to an employment tribunal if they believe that they are entitled to SSP but are not receiving it, or if they believe that they are not receiving the correct amount of SSP.
Overall, the changes to SSP in April 2026 aim to provide greater support to employees who are off work due to illness or injury By increasing the weekly rate of SSP, extending the waiting period, and clarifying employers’ obligations, these changes will help to ensure that employees receive the support they need when they are unable to work Employers and employees should familiarize themselves with the changes to SSP in April 2026 to ensure that they are compliant and receive the benefits to which they are entitled
In conclusion, the changes to SSP in April 2026 aim to provide greater support to employees who are off work due to illness or injury Employers and employees should be aware of these changes and ensure that they are compliant to receive the benefits to which they are entitled.