SPM50540 - Medical Services - Incapacity for work

Four or more self-certified absences

If an employer doubts incapacity and they have paid SSP for at least four periods of absence in the past 12 months, they may contact their local HMRC office for advice on whether the employee has a genuine reason for these repeated spells of sickness.

Refer the case to Medical Services using code with the following additional information:

• outcome of any control action already taken by the employer during the present spell of sickness
• dates of sick absences of at least four days over the past 12 months - details of sick record for past two years, if known
• cause of incapacity given on each occasion
• the four self certificates.

When the IB55 is returned

Send a copy of SSP46 to the employee explaining that:

• the employer may decide not to pay further SSP (on the basis of a self-certificate)if a further sick absence starts within the later of either:

• they must visit their doctor if they fall sick before those dates, even if the incapacity is for a week or less, to obtain medical evidence of their incapacity.

Send an SSP24 to the employer.

Employee sends in another self-certificate

If the employer doubts incapacity the next time the employee sends a self-certificate they will refuse to pay SSP without a doctor's certificate.

If the employee disputes this decision refer the case for medical advice as a referral type "IRSL".

Do not accept another request from the employer for this special control action unless there are a further four self certified absences of between four and seven days in a period of 12 months since the Nominated Officer's decision.