R0 Exam Prep

R05 Sickness and income-related benefits: free practice questions

5 free questions on Sickness and income-related benefits, part of learning outcome 3 (State benefits). Pick an answer to check it, or open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.

  1. Question 1 of 5

    Who pays Statutory Sick Pay?

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    The answer is D: The employer

    SSP is paid by the employer. It is not means-tested, is taxable, and is subject to Class 1 NICs like earnings.

    Why the other options are wrong

    A
    An IP insurer pays policy benefit, not Statutory Sick Pay.
    B
    The DWP pays benefits such as ESA, but SSP is paid by the employer.
    C
    HMRC doesn't pay SSP to employees.

  2. Question 2 of 5

    Bilal normally earns £140 a week and qualifies for SSP. In 2026/27 SSP is the lower of £123.25 a week or 80% of normal weekly earnings. How much SSP will he receive each week?

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    The answer is B: £112.00

    80% of £140 is £112.00, which is lower than £123.25, so he receives £112.00 a week.

    Why the other options are wrong

    A
    SSP never pays full earnings; it's the lower of the standard rate and 80% of normal weekly earnings.
    C
    £98.60 isn't 80% of £140; the right figure is £140 × 80% = £112.00.
    D
    £123.25 is the standard rate, but 80% of his £140 earnings (£112) is lower, so that applies.

  3. Question 3 of 5

    Under the income-related benefit rules, a claimant has savings of £9,000. By how much will their weekly benefit be reduced?

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    The answer is D: £12

    Savings above £6,000 reduce benefit by £1 a week for every £250 or part. £9,000 − £6,000 = £3,000; £3,000 ÷ £250 = 12, so the reduction is £12 a week.

    Why the other options are wrong

    A
    Savings over £6,000 do reduce benefit, so there is a reduction.
    B
    £36 would treat all £9,000 as counting; only the £3,000 above £6,000 counts.
    C
    £6 would be one pound for each £500; the rule is £1 for every £250 above £6,000, which gives £12.

  4. Question 4 of 5

    How does the ESA support group differ from the work-related activity group?

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    The answer is A: Its members can't work, get a higher rate and have no compulsory work activity

    The support group, around 10% of claimants with severe conditions, receives a higher rate and has no compulsory work activity. The work-related activity group, around 90%, receives the basic rate and must attend work-focused interviews.

    Why the other options are wrong

    B
    It's the work-related activity group that must attend work-focused interviews, not the support group.
    C
    The support group receives the higher rate; the work-related activity group gets the basic rate.
    D
    The groups differ in both payments and requirements.

  5. Question 5 of 5

    Nadia is an employee earning £650 a week. She is off sick for 20 weeks and qualifies for Statutory Sick Pay. How much SSP will she receive in total for those 20 weeks?

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    The answer is B: £2,465.00

    SSP is the lower of £123.25 a week and 80% of normal weekly earnings. 80% of £650 is £520, so the £123.25 rate applies: £123.25 × 20 = £2,465.00.

    Why the other options are wrong

    A
    £10,400 pays 80% of her earnings; SSP is the lower of £123.25 and 80%, so it's capped at £123.25.
    C
    £3,451 is the maximum for 28 weeks; she was off for 20.
    D
    £1,911 uses the ESA assessment rate; she's employed, so SSP applies for up to 28 weeks.

Practise all 13 Sickness and income-related benefits questions

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