SEND15A Form UK: Parent Expenses Claim Guide
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If you have attended a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal hearing as a parent or carer, you may be entitled to reclaim reasonable expenses you incurred to get there. Form SEND15A is the document the tribunal uses to process those claims.
It covers costs such as travel, and it needs to be submitted alongside your receipts and tickets for the claim to be accepted. This page walks through what the form covers, how each section is structured, and what to attach before you send it off.
Getting it right the first time avoids delays and rejected claims, particularly where proof of travel is missing. If you are unsure about anything on the form or whether a particular cost can be reclaimed, speaking with an experienced legal adviser can help you feel clearer before you post it.
What this document is
Form SEND15A is the official expenses claim form used by parents and carers who attend a hearing at the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), often shortened to SEND. When you appeal a local authority decision about your child's education, health and care plan or related matters, the tribunal may hold a hearing.
The costs of getting to and from that hearing, including mileage, public transport and sometimes overnight stays, can in many cases be reclaimed. The form captures your personal and contact details, your preferred method of payment, information about the hearing itself, and a breakdown of your travel costs.
You sign a declaration at the end confirming the claim is accurate. Every part of the form needs to be filled out in capital letters, and the tribunal asks for original receipts and tickets to support what you are claiming.
Without that evidence, or without a SEND17 form explaining why a receipt is missing, the claim is unlikely to be processed.
How to use this document
- Gather your receipts and tickets. Before you start filling in the form, collect every receipt, bus ticket, train ticket, parking stub and fuel receipt from the day of the hearing. If you drove, note your total mileage. Missing evidence is the most common reason claims are delayed, so treat this as the foundation of the whole process.
- Complete your personal and payment details. Fill in Sections 1 and 2 with your name, address, contact numbers and bank account details for payment. Use capital letters throughout, as the tribunal requires this for processing. Double-check your sort code and account number, since errors here will hold up any refund owed to you.
- Record the hearing information. In Section 3, enter the child's name, the appeal reference number, and the date of the hearing. You will find the appeal number on correspondence the tribunal has already sent you. If you are claiming for more than one hearing date, check whether you need to submit separate forms.
- Break down your travel costs. Section 4 is where you itemise each leg of the journey, including the method of transport used. For car journeys, mileage is paid at the rate set by HM Courts and Tribunals Service, so check gov.uk for the current figure. Attach every supporting ticket or receipt to the form before signing.
- Sign, declare and send. Complete the declaration in Section 5 by signing and dating the form. If any receipt is missing, attach a fully completed SEND17 form explaining why. Post the whole package to the SEND Tribunal office. Keep a photocopy for your own records in case anything is queried later.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q Who can claim expenses using Form SEND15A?
The form is designed for parents and carers who have attended a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal hearing in connection with an appeal about their child. It covers the reasonable travel and related costs of getting to the venue. Witnesses and other attendees may have different claim routes, so it is worth checking which form applies to your role before submitting.
Q What happens if I have lost a receipt or ticket?
The tribunal expects original evidence for every item claimed. If a receipt or ticket has been lost, you should complete Form SEND17, which allows you to explain the missing evidence. Submitting SEND15A without either the receipt or a completed SEND17 is likely to result in that part of the claim being refused, so always account for every item listed.
Q How is mileage calculated on the claim?
If you travelled by car, mileage is paid at a set rate per mile determined by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. You enter the total miles travelled on the form, and the tribunal calculates the amount due. The rate can change over time, so check gov.uk or contact the tribunal office for the current figure before completing Section 4.
Q Can I claim for loss of earnings or childcare?
SEND15A is primarily focused on travel and related costs of attending the hearing. Other categories such as loss of earnings or childcare may be considered in certain circumstances, but rules and limits apply. If this is relevant to your situation, ask the tribunal office what evidence they require, or speak to an experienced legal adviser about what can typically be included.
Q How long does it take to receive payment after filing?
Processing times vary depending on how complete the claim is when submitted and the tribunal's current workload. Claims with all receipts attached and every section completed in capital letters tend to be processed more quickly. If the form is missing information or supporting evidence, you can expect delays while the tribunal requests the additional material from you.
Q Can I submit one claim for multiple hearing dates?
It is generally cleaner to submit a separate SEND15A for each hearing date, since the form is structured around a single hearing. This also makes it easier for the tribunal to reconcile your claim against the attendance record. If you are unsure, contact the SEND Tribunal office directly to confirm their current preference before sending anything in.
Q What if my claim is rejected?
If the tribunal rejects all or part of your claim, they will usually explain why. Common reasons include missing evidence, incomplete sections, or costs that fall outside what the scheme covers. You may be able to resubmit with additional information. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe about the rejection.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · HMCTSFirst-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovAppeal against a local authority SEND decisiongov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovHM Courts and Tribunals Servicegov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure what you can claim on SEND15A?
Getting the form right and attaching the correct evidence makes a real difference to whether your claim is paid without delay. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through what to include based on what you describe about your hearing and travel.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about the form
- Practical perspective on what to attach based on what you describe
- Help thinking through any missing receipts or gaps
- Clarity on what to do next if a claim has already been queried
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.