Can I get sick pay if I’m self-employed?

Can I get sick pay if I’m self-employed?

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If you work in music whether you’re an artist, crew member, producer, engineer or freelancer you’re unlikely to have employer sick pay.

If illness or injury stops you working, your income can stop too.

That’s where income protection comes in.

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What is income protection?

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Income protection is insurance designed to pay you a regular monthly income if you’re unable to work due to sickness or accident.

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It does not cover gaps between projects, cancelled gigs, or periods where work has dried up. It specifically applies when you are medically unable to do your job.

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How does it work?

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In simple terms:

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- You choose how long you could manage before payments start (this is called the deferred period for example 4 weeks, 3 months or 6 months).

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- If you’re unable to work due to illness or injury and meet the policy definition, the insurer can begin paying a monthly benefit after that waiting period.

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- The amount paid is usually based on a percentage of your earnings. Insurers typically assess this using evidence such as recent tax returns or accounts not projected future income.

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For freelancers with fluctuating earnings, this detail matters.

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Why is it relevant in music?

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In many music careers, your earning power is directly linked to your ability to show up perform, travel, tour, lift, teach, rehearse, record.
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If you can’t physically or mentally do the work, income can reduce quickly.

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Income protection is designed to help cover essential costs during recovery, so a health issue doesn’t immediately become a financial crisis as well.

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The bottom line

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Income protection isn’t there to smooth irregular income or quiet months. It’s there to provide a financial safety net if you’re medically unable to work due to illness or injury.

If you’re self-employed, it’s one of the few ways to create something resembling sick pay on your own terms.

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If you’d like to talk through whether income protection is relevant for your situation, you can book a call with Chrissy here.

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