HMRC reveals changes to staff statutory sick pay forms

Date: 12th August 2008

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published details about changes to the forms employers need to file when staff statutory sick pay (SSP) ceases.

According to the note, the changes to the SSP forms were first announced in the recent Employer Bulletin.

Now, HMRC has confirmed that the new SSP1 form is to come into use on October 27th. At this point, employment and support allowance [ESA] is set to replace the older incapacity benefit and income support scheme.

It is believed that the new SPP1 form will be "quicker to complete", as it will require "less information to report".

A statement from HMRC explained: "SSP1 is given by an employer to an employee when SSP ceases or is not payable. The old style form may still be used in these circumstances on or after October 27th - but some of the information it asks for will no longer be necessary."

According to the Department of Work and Pension, SSP is paid "to employees who are unable to work because of sickness" and is provided by the employer.