Statutory Sick Pay - help me understand please

[ducksinarow123]

I have been fortunate enough to only have worked previously in a career that provided full sick pay from day one so having changed careers a couple of months ago I’m completely confused by SSP so can someone help please.
I have been off sick yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday). I will also be off tomorrow (Thursday). I understand I will not be paid for these and that’s fine - there’s no way I could complete my duties with how I am feeling. However I have Friday/Saturday/Sunday off and am then back in on Monday. I will most likely still be a little bit ill over my days off (I’m struggling to walk upstairs at the moment and needing to lie down, just a really really shitty virus), but I’m hoping I’ll be over it by Monday and can return to work. Dh has told me I should take Monday off anyway to get SSP because days off don’t count. Is he correct? If I go back Monday so I sacrifice £118 pay? It’s confusing as to whether the weekend counts to my total days or not.

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) you must earn an average of at least £125 per week. have been ill for more than 3 days in a row (including non-working days)

From gov website

Eligibility and form SSP1
To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) employees must:
have an employment contract
have done some work under their contract
have been sick for more than 3 days in a row (including non-working days) - known as a ‘period of incapacity for work’
earn an average of at least £125 per week
give you notice and proof of illness when needed

Popped and pasted from the government web site.

But how do they know if I’m sick on my non-working days? Will they just assume I’m only sick these 3 days so I don’t get paid?

Up to 7 days you can self certify without a Dr's note . You usually put it in writing or your employer may have a firm.

Give them a self certificate form which states fit on Tuesday

You don't get paid SSP for the first 3 days even if you're off more than 3 days

Think the self cert forms asks how many days sick you are claiming for but I could be wrong