Been refused SSP??

Mrs_fatty

hi, im looking for some advice about ssp.

I was off sick four weeks ago and recieved SSP from my employer, i returned to work for four weeks but have again been signed off. This time my employer is saying that as i went back for those few weeks for less hours as normal that i cannot get SSP anymore.

I have done some research and am confused as to whether they are correct or not. I believe that because the sick periods are linked by less than 8 weeks they are counted as one period of sickness.
Does anyone know if because they are linked PIW and i got paid ssp for the first PIW if this automatically qualifies me for this period of sickness.

Any advice would be fab x

miduck

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Part of it will also depend on how much you earned per week as there is a lower earning limit of £107/week to qualify for it and I think you have to have a min 26 weeks over a 52 week period to get it, but I am happy to be corrected.
However in theory with the linking thing then I think you are correct, but the other part also plays into it as well. However if they are adamant that you cannot have it, ask them to complete form SSP1 and give it to you so that you can claim ESA for a while.

That is incorrect - see this link for more information as to eligibility. Also, there is no need for the LEL to apply during the linking period.

Mrs_fatty

miduck wrote: »

That is incorrect - for more information as to eligibility. Also, there is no need for the LEL to apply during the linking period.

That link is where i got my info from but i am still unsure if i qualify because they are saying i havnt earnt enough in the qualifying period yet i did four weeks ago. This is where i am getting confused, so if both periods of PIW link it doesnt matter what my earnings were? Which means i should qualify again?

chrisbur

Mrs_fatty wrote: »

That link is where i got my info from but i am still unsure if i qualify because they are saying i havnt earnt enough in the qualifying period yet i did four weeks ago. This is where i am getting confused, so if both periods of PIW link it doesnt matter what my earnings were? Which means i should qualify again?

Your recent earnings do not matter, as you have said this PIW links with the last PIW (I am assuming that you have been off for at least 4 days to form a PIW) so there should be no re-calculation the two PIWs should be treated as one. If you have had the three waiting days taken during your last sickness then SSP should be paid from the first qualifying day of this sickness.

Mrs_fatty

chrisbur wrote: »

Your recent earnings do not matter, as you have said this PIW links with the last PIW (I am assuming that you have been off for at least 4 days to form a PIW) so there should be no re-calculation the two PIWs should be treated as one. If you have had the three waiting days taken during your last sickness then SSP should be paid from the first qualifying day of this sickness.

That is what i thought. Thank you very much for your help.

chrisbur

Mrs_fatty wrote: »

That is what i thought. Thank you very much for your help.

There is an excellent flowchart on the employers' guide for SSP on page 5
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/e14.pdf

Your situation leads to
Does this PIW link with an earlier PIW?

Has the employee had an earlier PIW within the eight weeks immediately before this PIW started? See ‘Linking’ on page 2.

Yes leads to

Did the employee satisfy the qualifying conditions for SSP inthe earlier linked PIW?
See page 1.

Yes leads to

Calculate and pay the amount of SSP due.
See page 15.
[FONT=HMRCModena,HMRCModena][FONT=HMRCModena,HMRCModena][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=HMRCModena,HMRCModena][FONT=HMRCModena,HMRCModena][/FONT][/FONT]