You have a legal right to statutory pay as an umbrella contractor. Your UK umbrella company is your legal employer. It must process SSP, SMP, SPP, and SAP for you. These rights start from day one of your assignment. The Employment Rights Act 2025 gives you these rights.
Does an umbrella company pay statutory sick pay?
Yes. Your umbrella company pays Statutory Sick Pay when you are too ill to work. For 2026-27, SSP is £123.25 per week. Or it is 80% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. From 6 April 2026, you can get SSP from your first day of illness. It covers up to 28 weeks. There is no lower earnings limit. All eligible employees qualify for SSP, no matter your income.
SSP replaces your assignment income while you are off sick. Your umbrella pays it through payroll, the same way as your normal pay. You will see it on your payslip as a separate line.
You must tell your umbrella you are ill within the required time. Ask your umbrella for its notification procedure. Do this before you need it.
What is the SSP weekly rate for 2026-27?
The SSP rate from 6 April 2026 is £123.25 per week. Or it is 80% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. From 6 April 2026, there is no lower earnings limit for SSP. All eligible employees qualify. Your income does not matter.
You pay income tax and National Insurance on SSP. Read the umbrella contractor tax guide to see how deductions work on statutory payments.
Does an umbrella company pay statutory maternity pay?
Yes. Umbrella contractors who qualify get Statutory Maternity Pay through their umbrella. For 2026-27, SMP pays 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first six weeks. The remaining 33 weeks pay at £194.32 per week. Or it is 90% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. SMP lasts up to 39 weeks in total.
You must work for your umbrella for at least 26 weeks without a break. The qualifying week is the 15th week before your baby is due. Your average weekly earnings must be at or above the LEL of £129.
Give your umbrella at least 28 days’ notice before your maternity leave starts. Give them your MATB1 certificate. This confirms your due date.
What is the SMP rate for 2026-27?
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 6 | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Weeks 7 to 39 | £194.32/week or 90% AWE (lower applies) |
Your umbrella pays SMP through its payroll. It then claims most of this cost back from HMRC. This process does not affect your payment.
Does an umbrella company pay statutory paternity pay?
Yes. If you qualify, your umbrella pays Statutory Paternity Pay. It is £194.32 per week. Or it is 90% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. SPP covers up to two weeks. You can take one week or two weeks in a row. You must take it within 56 days of your child’s birth or placement.
You must work for your umbrella for at least 26 weeks without a break. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the expected due date. You must be the biological father, adopter, or the mother’s partner.
Give your umbrella at least 28 days’ notice before you want SPP to start.
Does an umbrella company pay statutory adoption pay?
Yes. SAP follows the same structure as SMP. For 2026-27, the first six weeks pay at 90% of your average weekly earnings. The remaining 33 weeks pay at £194.32 per week. Or it is 90% of your AWE. You get whichever amount is lower. SAP covers up to 39 weeks for eligible contractors.
The eligibility rules are the same as SMP. You need continuous employment and the right earnings level. Tell your umbrella as soon as you get your adoption match notification.
What are your day-one statutory rights?
The Employment Rights Act 2025 gives you protections from day one. These apply from the first day of your umbrella engagement. You have the right to a written statement of employment terms on day one. Zero-hours protections also apply where relevant.
Read what protections umbrella contractors have for a full list of contractor protections.
How does the Fair Work Agency affect statutory pay enforcement?
The Fair Work Agency launched on 7 April 2026. It enforces employment rights. This includes statutory pay obligations. It expects to begin formal enforcement from 2027. Your umbrella must pay statutory entitlements correctly. If not, it faces FWA action.
DASA holds dual accreditation from FCSA and Professional Passport. Both bodies check that payroll is compliant. DASA processes your statutory pay correctly and on time.
What about holiday pay during statutory leave?
Your holiday pay continues to build up during statutory leave. Read umbrella company holiday pay to see how DASA handles accrual and rollover.
How does DASA process statutory pay claims?
DASA Umbrella processes all statutory pay through its PAYE payroll. The payroll is fully compliant. All payments appear clearly on your payslip. DASA holds dual accreditation from FCSA and Professional Passport. Both bodies audit its statutory pay processes on their own.
Contact DASA directly if you need to make a claim. Have your dates and documents ready. DASA handles the HMRC reclaim process. You only need to tell DASA and give them the right evidence.
Use the umbrella take home pay calculator to check your net pay during statutory leave. Contact your umbrella company to start your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an umbrella company pay Statutory Sick Pay?
Yes. Your umbrella company is your employer. It must pay SSP if you qualify. The 2026-27 rate is £123.25 per week. Or it is 80% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. You can get it from day one of your illness. There is no lower earnings limit.
What is the Statutory Maternity Pay rate for 2026-27?
SMP pays 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first six weeks. For the remaining 33 weeks, it pays £194.32 per week. Or it is 90% of your AWE. You get whichever amount is lower.
What is the Statutory Paternity Pay rate for 2026-27?
SPP is £194.32 per week. Or it is 90% of your average weekly earnings. You get whichever amount is lower. It covers up to two weeks.
Am I eligible for SMP through an umbrella company?
Yes. You must work for your umbrella for at least 26 weeks without a break. This must be by the 15th week before your due date. You must also earn at or above the £129 per week Lower Earnings Limit.
Does the Fair Work Agency cover umbrella company statutory pay?
Yes. The FWA launched in April 2026. It enforces statutory pay obligations. Umbrella companies that do not pay SSP, SMP, SPP, or SAP correctly face FWA enforcement action.
