As we move into April 2026, there are some important changes regarding Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) that both employers and employees need to be aware of SSP is a payment made by employers to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury It is a legal requirement for employers to pay SSP to eligible employees, and the amount is set by the government Here is everything you need to know about Statutory Sick Pay in April 2026.
Firstly, let’s talk about the eligibility criteria for SSP To be eligible for SSP, an employee must have been off work due to illness or injury for at least four days in a row (including non-working days) They must also earn an average of at least £120 per week In April 2026, there are no changes to the eligibility criteria, so employees will still need to meet these requirements to qualify for SSP.
The amount of SSP paid to employees is also remaining the same in April 2026 The current rate is £96.35 per week, and this will continue to be the case SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks, so if an employee is off work for longer than this, they may be eligible for other benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance Employers are required to pay SSP for the first 28 weeks of an employee’s absence due to illness or injury.
One change that is coming into effect in April 2026 is the introduction of an SSP rebate scheme for small and medium-sized businesses This scheme is designed to help smaller employers who have been struggling with the costs of SSP for their employees Under the rebate scheme, eligible employers will be able to claim back some of the SSP they have paid to their employees This rebate will be paid to employers on a monthly basis, helping them to manage their cash flow more effectively.
To be eligible for the SSP rebate scheme, employers must meet certain criteria statutory sick pay april 2026. They must have fewer than 250 employees as of 31 March 2026, and they must have paid SSP to employees who have been off work due to illness or injury for at least four days in a row Employers will need to keep records of SSP payments and employee absences to claim the rebate, and they will need to apply through an online portal.
The introduction of the SSP rebate scheme is welcome news for small and medium-sized businesses, who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic Many employers have seen an increase in sickness absence among their employees, leading to higher costs for SSP The rebate scheme aims to provide financial support to these employers and help them to continue to support their employees during periods of illness or injury.
In addition to the SSP rebate scheme, there are also changes coming into effect in April 2026 regarding the reporting of SSP Employers will be required to report SSP payments to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on their Real Time Information (RTI) submissions This will help to ensure that the correct amount of SSP is being paid to employees and will enable HMRC to monitor compliance with SSP regulations.
Overall, the changes to Statutory Sick Pay in April 2026 are minimal, with the main development being the introduction of the SSP rebate scheme for small and medium-sized businesses Employers will need to familiarize themselves with the criteria for the rebate scheme and ensure that they are reporting SSP payments accurately to HMRC Employees should be aware of their rights to SSP and the criteria they need to meet to qualify for payments.
In conclusion, Statutory Sick Pay remains an important benefit for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury The changes coming into effect in April 2026, such as the introduction of the SSP rebate scheme, are designed to support both employees and employers during challenging times By staying informed about SSP regulations and requirements, both employers and employees can ensure that they are accessing the support they need