I don’t get SSP. Is this legal?

[Rogben13]

So I was talking to my friend who is off work with a broken foot and she was worrying about her SSP ending.
I casually mentioned that I don’t get any SSP at all and that any time I’m off sick, I’m just not paid for it. She was really shocked and said this wasnt legal. I had no idea and just thought it was employers discretion regarding whether it’s paid or not.
I work 22 hours a week and earn around £200 weekly. I’m now worrying that I’m being made a fool of, it’s a medium sized company with quite a few employees.
What’s my next step? Ask them directly? Try and find out if my colleagues are paid it? And Is it actually illegal?

You are entitled to it if you earn over £118 a week, however they don’t have to pay anything for the first 3 days - have you only ever had short illnesses that haven’t gone beyond the 3 day mark?

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/

If they don’t pay you, they should give you an SSP1 form to explain the reason. A lot of employers will tick the box to say that you don’t earn enough, but don’t be fobbed off by this. If you regularly earn enough to pay NI contributions you should qualify.

Thank you for this. There has been a few occasions where I had to take more than a week off. Once in 2016 when I had an ectopic pregnancy I was off for 3 weeks and then maybe up to a week off 2-3 times in the last couple of years when I’ve had flu etc. Apart from that I’d say I only have the odd day off here and there or when my kids are poorly.
I’ve worked for them for 8 years now and I never got it when I worked full time with them either. I’ll definitely be talking to them today. Thank you for your help