“Also I question whether this is an acceptable use of maaser money”‘
Every has to ask their own sheilah, but from the times when I’ve asked sheilahs about maaser, there is a lot of leeway regarding what it can be used for. So I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s muttar although I don’t know.
It also may depend how rich/poor you are. If you are poor enough, you are not obligated in maaser at all, although there is still an inyan to separate it out (even if you put it back in your own pocket). In that case, I would guess that this may be a better way to distribute the maaser rather than put it back in your own pocket. But again, everyone should ask his own sheilah and not make assumptions either way.