Is it permissible for a poor family to receive Zakat on the head of the household's money?

It is not permissible for the one paying zakat (definition) to give it to those whose maintenance is obligatory upon him, such as his children and others, because they are considered wealthy by virtue of the obligatory maintenance he provides, and because by giving them zakat, he effectively discharges their maintenance, which is his responsibility, thus it is as if he is paying it to himself. However, some scholars, including Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, permitted giving zakat to poor parents and children if the one paying zakat is unable to support them. He stated: "The stronger opinion is the permissibility of giving it to them in this situation, because the necessitating factor is present, and the preventing factor is absent." As for relatives whose maintenance is not obligatory upon him, giving zakat to them is permissible if they are deserving, and indeed, they have a greater right to it.