We've collated the answers below to common questions on the SSP changes that apply from 6 April 2026.

These questions and answers apply to the SSP changes, not the SSP rules for 5 April 2026 and before.

We also have a webinar snippet covering some common SSP questions. To watch this video, ▼ click here.

Does a single day off sick qualify for SSP?

Yes, a single day off qualifies as a Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW), which you need to pay SSP for. 

How do I process SSP during a phased return to work?

If an employee works part of a day, they're not due SSP.

This means during a phased return to work, employees don't receive SSP for any day they work part of. 

If they don't work at all on any days they normally work, process SSP for those days.

Will Sage 50 Payroll still notify me when an employee runs out of SSP?

Yes, the maximum of 28 weeks of SSP still applies, and your software notifies you when an employee reaches this.

Does my employee still have to self-certify their sickness?

Yes, the same rules apply whereby employees self-certify for up to one week off, with a fit note from a doctor required beyond this.

How do I calculate the correct daily rate when the employee works a rolling shift pattern?

Your software allows you to enter a rolling absence pattern and a pattern start date.

This way, your software automatically calculates the correct SSP when you enter the dates the employee was off.

For more information, visit the holiday and absence qualifying day patterns article.

Do I pay SSP if the employee did some work then went home sick?

No, if the employee did any work on a given day, they aren't due any SSP for that day.

Does the number of hours the employee normally works affect the SSP rate for the day?

No, the SSP daily rate is based on how many qualifying days per week the employee works.

This means their daily rate is the same regardless of how many hours they were due to work on a given day.

For help with calculating the SSP daily rate, visit the calculate the SSP daily payment rate from 6 April 2026 article.

How do I handle SSP for zero-hour contract employees who work varying days?

Agree with the employee which days to use as their qualifying days for SSP calculations. A possible option is to set all seven days as qualifying days.

For further information, visit the holiday and absence qualifying day patterns article. If you need advice on which qualifying day pattern to use, contact ACAS or HMRC.

What period is the eight-week gross average based on?

The employee's average weekly earnings are based on the eight weeks before the first day of absence in a PIW.

Can I check and update the absence working pattern for multiple employees at once?

Yes, to check the working pattern for multiple employees:

1. Select the relevant employees on your employee list.
2. Go to Reports, then the Employee folder.
3. Run the SSP Qualifying Days Pattern report.

To update the pattern for multiple employees at once, use the global changes option.

When SSP covers multiple pay periods, what period is the eight weeks average based on?

The employee's average weekly earnings use the eight weeks before the start of the PIW.

This remains the case while the PIW continues, including where the employee returns then goes back off within eight weeks.

Any new period of absence within eight weeks of the last one ending is still a linked period of absence.