A CHANGE to sick note rules coming into effect tomorrow means that millions of Universal Credit claimants will be affected. 

Absence time without getting a sick note was extended during the Omicron wave in December, but that new rule will be scrapped this week, the Scottish Sun reports.

From December 10, 2021, you did not have to provide a sick note until 28 days from feeling unwell in order to get pay or benefits. 

The rule applied to employees and people who get benefits such as Universal Credit, but from tomorrow the period is reduced to seven days.

This will also apply to those who become sick and are on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

READ MORE: Terminally ill benefits claimants to be exempt from work search requirements

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson told The Sun in December: “To free up capacity for our GPs to support the ramping up of the Covid booster jab rollout, we’ve introduced Statutory Sick Pay changes today.

“For any sickness absences which began on or after December 10, 2021, up to and including January 26, 2022, GPs will not need to provide employees with medical evidence of sickness, such as a fit note, for the first 28 days of absence."

Under normal sick note rules you self-certify for the first seven days of illness.

Once you have been ill for more than seven consecutive days (including weekends, bank holidays or days you wouldn't usually work) most employers ask for a sick note.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is worth £96.35 a week for those who qualify and is paid by employers for up to 28 weeks after the first three days of illness.

But those self-isolating for Covid can get SSP for the first three days, which is a minimum requirement under the law and an employer may pay more.

Meanwhile if you're claiming Universal Credit and become unwell and that affects your search for work, you have to show a note to the DWP after seven days.

Employment and Support Allowance benefits (ESA), which you can claim if an illness or disability is affecting your capacity to work, is also affected by the reversal of the extension.