SSP rules

[Limetreee]

Hi. Can anyone help me understand ssp ? I was on sick leave for ten weeks from April last year, I couldn’t claim ssp as I hadn’t paid enough contributions. I only work 16 hours and had had two weeks of sick previous to that.
I went back to work for twelve weeks but then had to be off again. I have been paid ssp this time. I’m still off sick but would like to go back but I’m worried I may not be able to manage. I have a shoulder problem and work in the food industry, repetitive strain is making it worse. If I go back and find it’s too painful and have to go off sick again would I still be paid ssp again ?
Work are not being helpful at all, and have only wished me well by email. I’m coming up to retirement age so their not really interested. Thank you for reading.

If you can't be paid SSP and have worked and paid NI contributions for the majority of the last 2-3 tax years then you could put in a claim for Contributions based ( new style ) ESA instead as long as your employer gives you an SSP1 form.

Hi my employer gave me the form but I couldn’t claim ESA I didn’t have enough contributions for the last 2 to 3 years as I had been furloughed for covid for some of it. I haven’t tried the HMRC calculator, would it be able to tell me if I could claim SSP going forward.

The SSP rules are first 3 days of absence are unpaid SSP then paid. If you return and go sick again within 8 weeks SSP restarts. If it’s longer than 8 weeks you again have the 3 days unpaid. The maximum SSP is 28 weeks 5he. Your employer gives you form SSP1 which you give to DWP when you claim benefits.

Thank you for your help. I’ve had 19 weeks so far since last April. Would it reset April 2023 ?

@Limetreee i don’t believe it resets in April.