Statuatory Sick Pay?

Not sure if this is where I should post my query but it seemed like the most logical location!

So I called in to work today because I'm pretty sure I have a raging sinus infection or the start of strep throat. I've already called in for tomorrow. The last time this happened, I was out of commission for about a week and a half. My employer doesn't offer sick pay and advises its employees to collect Statutory Sick Pay.

I am currently in the UK on a spouse visa. Since I have "no recourse to public funds", am I allowed to collect SSP if I need to?

Just wondering if any of y'all have had to deal with this before?

This is the list of what counts as public funds for immigration purposes:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/while-in-uk/rightsandresponsibilities/publicfunds/
SSP is not there.

If you are PAYE (pay as you earn) for tax purposes, what usually happens is that the employer deducts from your salary but pays you the SSP which they then claim back. Always looks strange on the salary statement with counter entries on each side!

Thanks, y'all! I'm better now but I'll hold on to this thread for future use!

I've lived here all my life and only on a couple of occasions been able to claim SSP. I'd suggest that you join a scheme such as the HSA (now called Simply Health: www.simplyhealth.co.uk) or ask your trade union for assistance for when you're ill. Most unions will have some kind of insurance scheme. My mother used to belong to the Teachers' Provident Association, for example.