Self-employed sick pay: what you can claim in the UK
Why there is no statutory sick pay when you work for yourself, how New Style ESA and Universal Credit fill the gap, and what evidence each one needs.
The short answer. If you are self-employed you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay. The main state support is New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), if you have paid enough National Insurance, usually in the last 2 to 3 years, and Universal Credit if your income is low. Both need a fit note once you have been unable to work for more than 7 days.
Your options at a glance
Rules for Great Britain, checked against GOV.UK and Acas on 27 October 2026.
| Option | Who it is for | Evidence it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) | Employees on payroll, not people who pay their own tax through Self Assessment | Not available for self-employed work |
| New Style ESA | Employed, self-employed or unemployed people who have paid enough National Insurance, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. Credits count | A fit note once you have been unable to work for more than 7 days in a row |
| Universal Credit | People on a low income, including the self-employed, with £16,000 or less in savings and investments | A fit note if your health affects your capability to work for longer than 7 days |
| Income protection insurance | A private policy you buy yourself | Set by the policy, not by the benefit rules |
Why self-employed people get no SSP
Statutory Sick Pay is paid by an employer through payroll. It is only for people employed for tax purposes, such as PAYE employees and agency workers. Acas is explicit that workers who pay their own tax through Self Assessment are not eligible. Our statutory sick pay guide explains the employee rules in full. For the employee side, see also our guides to company sick pay for employees and how sick leave works for employees.
Plenty of people mix the two. If you have a PAYE job alongside your own business, that job is treated separately: you may get SSP from that employer if you meet the usual conditions, even though your self-employed income carries no sick pay. Someone with more than one job may get SSP from each employer.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance
New Style ESA is the benefit built for this situation. GOV.UK says you can apply if you are employed, self-employed or unemployed, as long as you have paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits also count.
While your claim is assessed, usually for 13 weeks, you can get up to £75.65 a week if you are under 25, or up to £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over. After the assessment, the rate is up to £95.55 a week in the work-related activity group, or up to £145.90 a week in the support group. New Style ESA lasts 365 days in the work-related activity group; there is no time limit in the support group.
You do not always have to stop completely. You can usually work while claiming ESA if you work less than 16 hours a week and earn no more than £203.50 a week. In Northern Ireland there is a different way to apply, so check there before you start.
Universal Credit when you are self-employed and ill
Universal Credit is means-tested, so it depends on your household income and savings rather than your National Insurance record. GOV.UK says you may be able to get it if you are on a low income, including if you are working self-employed or part time, and you have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time as New Style ESA, or instead of it. If your health affects your capability to work for longer than 7 days, you need a fit note, and if it lasts longer than 28 days you may need a Work Capability Assessment. How fit notes, the online account and the assessment fit together is set out in our guide to fit notes and Universal Credit.
The detail of how self-employed earnings are treated within Universal Credit is specific to your circumstances, so check your own claim with the Universal Credit service rather than relying on a general page.
Income protection insurance
Income protection insurance is a private policy that provides regular payments if someone is unable to work due to illness or injury. It is a commercial product with its own terms, separate from the benefits above.
Evidence: why a private note will not do for benefits
Both New Style ESA and Universal Credit ask for a fit note. A fit note can be issued by a doctor, registered nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist; for most people that means their GP surgery. Fit notes are free if you have been ill for more than 7 days when you ask for one.
A private medical certificate cannot be used for these claims. GOV.UK asks for a fit note for both ESA and Universal Credit and does not offer a private certificate as an alternative. If you are self-employed and need evidence for a benefit claim, ask your GP.
Where a private note can help is with an employer. If you also have a PAYE job, a private sick note from a GMC-registered UK doctor is evidence that employer can choose to accept for your absence from that job. Our page on how to get a sick note compares the routes.
Where this applies. SSP, New Style ESA and Universal Credit rules on this page are for Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own sick pay legislation and a different way to apply for ESA. This is general information, not financial or legal advice on your claim.
Common questions
Can self-employed people get statutory sick pay?
No. SSP is for people employed for tax purposes, such as PAYE employees and agency workers. If you pay your own tax through Self Assessment you are not eligible for SSP on that income.
Is there any sick pay for the self-employed?
There is no employer sick pay, but there is state support. New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is open to self-employed people who have paid enough National Insurance, and Universal Credit may help if your income is low. Both need a fit note.
How much is New Style ESA?
While your claim is assessed, usually for 13 weeks, up to £75.65 a week if you are under 25 and up to £95.55 if you are 25 or over. After that, up to £95.55 in the work-related activity group or up to £145.90 in the support group.
Can I keep working while I claim ESA?
Usually, if you work less than 16 hours a week and earn no more than £203.50 a week. Voluntary work has no hours limit.
Can I use a private sick note to claim ESA or Universal Credit?
No. GOV.UK asks for a fit note for both benefits and does not offer a private medical certificate as an alternative. Ask your GP surgery for a fit note.
Related
Sources. The legal, pay and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 27 October 2026. Rules and rates change, and your employer’s own policy may add to them, so check your contract or HR policy too.
Also employed, and off sick from that job?
For absence from an employed job, a GMC-registered UK doctor can assess you online and issue a private sick note if clinically appropriate. It cannot be used for ESA or Universal Credit.
Request a sick noteAssessed by a GMC-registered UK doctor. Full refund if a note cannot be issued on clinical grounds.