am i entitled to ssp?

[woahthere]

ive just had some surgery and am wondering if i am entitled to sick pay, seeing as i pay national insurance. I have a sick note for a week, and can go back if i need more. At the moment I have just cancelled the younger children as Im not allowed to lift, but depending on how im feeling i may need to cancel older children too for next week. has anyone done this?

You sound as though you might be a childminder, thus self employed. If so, then I don't think you can claim SSP as you are not an employee, I think it needs to be Employment & Support Allowance instead.

You need to check with your insurance companies whether you are still allowed to work at all. You need to have paid NI for 3 whole years plus this year before you qualify for benefits - I missed out by 1 silly week when I broke my foot and did not get any money at all.

sorry yes i am a childminder, I pay class 4 NI. Im confused is Ni not for this kind of thing?

Yes NI is for this, but you have to have paid enough of it to qualify for benefits.
Your third party insurance may not cover you if they deem you not fit for work and you have to get doctor permission to drive (if you do drive) for your car insurance to cover you whilst you work.

ok thank you, I think I will ring them tomorrow

Paying Class 2 NI does qualify you for certain benefits (mainly the basic state pension and maternity allowance), but SSP is not a benefit it is a sum which an employer must pay to a qualifying employee, so clearly cannot apply for the self employed.

Class 4 NI does not qualify you for anything, it is just more tax :(

Oops, as Nick had already mentioned it I forgot to confirm that you can qualify for Contribution Based Employment Support Allowance