Do employees get ssp whilst awaiting a test and results?

[HomerDancing]

As the title says do employees get ssp from day 1 whilst awaiting a test and their results? Even if the results come back negative? According to the research I have done anyone self isolating waiting for a test should get ssp.

I feel like there's going to be people that cheat the system to get ssp from day 1 rather than the usual 3 days at unpaid sick.

It doesnt seem fair that some will get ssp from day 1 because they have symptom/s that are synonmous with a number of different illnesses, when it just is a cold or a sickness bug with a high temperature. I understand they are unwell and should get paid, but it doesnt seem fair that someone else that has similar or the same symptoms of a sickness bug that didn't get a test as they believed it was only a bug would only get ssp from day 3.

So even if the test comes back negative should an employee get ssp from day 1?

Yes, they should get SSP because we need to encourage people to isolate early. Covid is very infectious and kills large numbers if not kept in check.

The issue really is due to do much screaming about benefits cheats etc in the past, the UK now has very poor support. Covid has shown how stupid our system is.

You can get SSP from day one but only if you need to isolate for 4 days or more.

So, if you are back at work in three days (because you got tested and the test case back negative) then you won’t get SSP from the first day you were off.

But if you were off for longer - say, 10 days from having it, or 14 from isolating, then you will claim SSP from day 1.

OK thanks!

@Tigerbeer

You can get SSP from day one but only if you need to isolate for 4 days or more.

So, if you are back at work in three days (because you got tested and the test case back negative) then you won’t get SSP from the first day you were off.

But if you were off for longer - say, 10 days from having it, or 14 from isolating, then you will claim SSP from day 1.

Well that is ridiculous, because people will be worried that they may lose wages if test comes back negative in 3 days (3 days wages when you earn minimum wage by the hour is a huge amount). They will just come in anyway, to avoid losing wages.

A lot of it is ridiculous to me! And a bit of a minefield tbh

I'm in minimum wage work, we have to make our missed isolation days up, so we don't get SSP as far as I'm aware, we only get paid if a test is positive.

Oh really?! That doesn't seem right?

Yes you do get SSP for isolating awaiting a test result, or at least you should, but you still need to have a 4 calendar day period of incapacity for work. If you do though then you should get SSP from day 1.

I totally agree with your point OP and the whole SSP system has been shown as not fit for purpose I think

@Tigerbeer

You can get SSP from day one but only if you need to isolate for 4 days or more.

So, if you are back at work in three days (because you got tested and the test case back negative) then you won’t get SSP from the first day you were off.

But if you were off for longer - say, 10 days from having it, or 14 from isolating, then you will claim SSP from day 1.

Yes this is correct. SSP regulations were changed to remove the waiting days for Covid absence but you still need the period of incapacity for work.

Thank you 😊

Also minimum wage. We have to show written proof of a positive test to get ssp from day 1

SSP for COVID is payable for 14 days only. You need to present proof of positive test or NHS advise to isolate.
Your subsequent sickness is normal ssp.