depravation of assetts queery

Hello
I dont know if anyone can answer this

I have been making small overpayments on my rent, approximatley an extra £45 per month for several years and all these payments have been made before the start of the next assessment period, this extra payment has only been made from my universal credit payments ONLY, and not anything else.

The dwp are know investing this as they are suggesting it could be considered as depravation of capital.

My understanding is that this cant be depravation of capital as uc payments dont constitute capital until the start of the next assessment period, I have pointed out to the dwp that the payments have only been made from my uc payments which is not considered as capital but they said, it is irrelevent that I have made these payments from my uc payments, it is still depravation of capital, surely this can't be right as uc payments is not considered to be capital

Any advice

They are also saying that the 'credit' on my rent account + my savings are over the uc threshold, but my case manager (I have a different one know) told me that credit on a rent account isn't considered to be savings

Any advice

thanks

The DWP Can only accuse you of deprivation of assets if your main aim is to reduce your capital to get more benefits. Therefore when you submit a claim you must declare the savings and include the extra in rent you are paying, unless the Landlord has asked you to pay extra rent in writing. Voluntary payments are still classed as assets and must be declared.
I hope this helps you.