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Sock pay can be claimed by anyone with health issues which prevent them from working. In this article, we will discuss when one is entitled to such pay, which are the basic requirements, how much this pay would be, what happens in case of COVID-19, who is not entitled to this pay and what happens in the case of disagreement with the employer.
In general, when one is sick, they are entitled to £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks. However, this sick pay has some requirements that need to be met and its basic characteristics are as follows:
The beneficiary must be an employee in a business.
The beneficiary’s income must be at least £120 per week.
The beneficiary have been ill or in isolation for 4 days in a row.
In cases of COVID-19, sick pay can be given if:
The employee or someone in their household is tested positive to the virus
The individual has been contacted by the NHS that they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
The individual has been notified by their doctor that they must self-isolate before they go to the hospital prior to surgery.
ΑΤΤΕΝΤΙΟΝ: an individual who is self-isolating after returning to the UK and does need to self-isolate for any other reason (for example if they are already ill)
If an individual works for more than one employer, they are entitled to receive the relevant sick pay form each employer separately.
The employee receives their sick pay through PAYE, same as they receive their salary form their employer.
ATTENTION: You must notify your employer about your absence as per your employment contract or within 7 days of you have no such contract.
When you are NOT entitled to the relevant sick pay:
When you have already taken maximum 28 days off
When you are receiving Maternity Pay
When you are self-isolating after returning to the UK and do need to self-isolate for any other reason (for example if they are already ill)
IMPORTANT: You may still be entitled to receiving SSP if you are on “furlough” (temporary leave)How to prove you are ill
You can request a sick note form your doctor if you have been ill for at least 7 days in a row. If the employer agrees, a similar document can also be requested from a physiotherapist, a pediatrician or occupational therapist.
If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 for more than 7 days in a row, the relevant document (isolation note) can be requested only from the NHS. If you have been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you can use this note for your employer. If you have been advised by a doctor or healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery, you can use this notification to prove the days you are requesting.
If you do not meet the requirements to receive SSP, your employer must send you the SSP1 form within 7 days form the onset of illness. If you do not agree, do ask for clarifications. In case you are still in disagreement, please contact HMRC.
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Translated / Edited: Apostolia Nestoratou
© 2021 UPECO LTD
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ATTENTION!
This article intends to give only a general informative picture and should not, in any case, be taken as a rule. It is strongly recommended to seek a full and professional guidance specifically for your circumstances before making any decisions.