Linked periods of sickness

Rachael12345

Hi. could someone explain how this works please. I work 16 hours and had a week off sick in June. I’m off sick again but I’ve been told I can’t have ssp because I haven’t paid enough NI in the 8 weeks previous. If I go back to work and work 8 full weeks would I be able to claim ssp ? Thanks 

calcotti

To qualify for SSP you need to have earned £123/week averaged over an eight week period prior to going ill.
However, I think your employer is wrong. Because your current period is less than 8 weeks since the previous period the new period should be treated as a linked period of Incapacity for Work and I understand this to mean that you should be paid SSP based on your eligibility at the time of the first period.

There's a guide for employers here
https://www.gov.uk/employers-sick-pay
and a calculator for employers here
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-statutory-sick-pay

Rachael12345

Thank you. I’ll have a look.