Form SSP1 is issued to an employee when the employer is unable to pay, or is unable to continue to pay, SSP to the employee. If the employer provides a computerised version of the form, a blank paper copy must also be given to the employee. The completed form is then used by the employee to make a claim for Incapacity Benefit.

Where do employers obtain supplies of this form? The Inland Revenue does not provide them but individual copies of the current version (dated 01/04) can be downloaded from the Inland Revenue's website, at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/forms/ssp1.pdf.

However, visitors to the Inland Revenue's online Employer's Orderline, at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/employers/emp-form.htm#during2, will see that there are two links to follow. The first link allows individual copies of the current form to be downloaded from the website of the Department for Work and Pensions, the government department responsible for SSP legislation. The other link directs visitors to the DWP's publications resource centre, from which there is a link to "downloadable claim forms". At the foot of this page is a link to the DWP's guidance notes on SSP, with a further link to the current form.

A number of employers have asked us where they can obtain bulk supplies of SSP1 forms. No guidance on this is available on either the Inland Revenue or DWP websites. After an enquiry to the DWP, we received the following guidance.

• For fewer than 50 copies of the form, employers should obtain them from their local Jobcentre Plus office, or download the pdf versions from the Inland Revenue or DWP websites.
  
  
• For between 50 and 500 copies, employers should use the DWP's Order 5 form. The form may be downloaded, using a link on the DWP's page that describes how to order forms and publications, at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/cat1/pubsorder.asp. The forms come in packs of 50, so employers should order 1 pack if they want 50, 2 packs for 100, etc. When completed, the form may be sent by fax or post. The phone number and address are on the form.

The DWP's helpline for orders is 01253 332921.

We have asked the Inland Revenue to update the guidance provided on the Employer's Orderline.

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