The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is a section of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) division of the Home Office.
It is responsible for supporting and accommodating people seeking asylum while their cases are being dealt with.
Previously, local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were responsible for the support and accommodation of asylum seekers.
NASS describes its role as part of the "6th aim" of the Home Office: "To regulate entry to, and settlement in, the United Kingdom effectively in the interests of sustainable growth and social inclusion.
To provide an efficient and effective work permit system to meet economic and skills requirements, and fair, fast and effective programmes for dealing with visitors, citizenship and long term immigration applicants and those seeking refugee or asylum.