National Asylum Support Service

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is a section of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), which is itself a part of the Home Office. It is responsible for supporting and accommodating people seeking asylum while their cases are being dealt with.

NASS was created in April 2000 under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Previously, local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were responsible for the support and accommodation of asylum seekers. NASS presently has about 900 employees, about half at the NASS central office in Croydon and the others in 11 regional offices.