Statutory Sickness SSP Forms
Employers need to use the right statutory sickness forms when dealing with employee sickness and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This collection includes Statutory Form SC2, Statutory Form SSP1, and Statutory Form SSP2, together with information on how they fit into sickness absence and SSP administration.
Employers must issue SSP1 when an employee cannot be paid statutory sick pay or when SSP entitlement ends. Form SSP2 is used to record details of an employee’s SSP, and SSP records must be kept for at least 3 years after the end of the tax year to which they relate.
SC2 is the government form for employees to self-certify their illness and can be used for up to 7 days of illness. Many businesses choose to use their own self-certification form. A template can be downloaded at Sickness and Absence Self-Certification Form.
When are Employees Entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
To be entitled to SSP, employees must:
- Be classed as an employee and cannot be self-employed;
- Have done some work; and
- Notify their employer of sickness, according to the employer's reporting rules. This notification can be by using form SC2 or the employer's own self-certification form for sickness of up to 7 days. If sickness lasts for more than 7 days, a doctor's sick/fit note is required.
The SSP rules changed on 6 April 2026. SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, and the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed.
SSP is only payable for 28 weeks. When this stops, the employer should issue form SSP1 in order to enable the employee to claim Employment and Support Allowance.
How does subscription to Employment assist with SSP Forms?
Sickness and absence from work requires proper management and documentation to maintain compliance with legal responsibilities and help sustain productivity within the workforce. In addition to these SSP forms, Employment provides a range of templates, from sickness policies to sequences of letters to employees, to ensure correct communication when dealing with sickness, including frequent and long-term sickness absence.
The portfolio also provides an extensive selection of templates to help manage the whole cycle of an employment relationship, from recruiting and contracting with staff to dealing with disciplinary matters and redundancy.
Statutory Sickness SSP Forms is part of Employment. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Employment for 1 year.