Needy relatives take precedence in distributing maaser
Maaser given to genuinely needy relatives is fully valid tzedakah — and relatives in need come first, followed by the local poor (aniyei ircha), then others. The app's recipient directory reflects this priority order.
Positions by community
Ashkenazi
Shulchan Aruch YD 251:3: giving to needy relatives is tzedakah, 'and he must give them precedence over all people'; paternal brother before maternal, poor of one's household before the city's poor, one's city before another city. The Rema adds the full priority ladder (self, parents, children, siblings, relatives, neighbors, city).
Sephardi
Same codified rule.
Chabad
Same codified rule.
Sources
- https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Yoreh_De'ah.251.3 — Yoreh De'ah 251:3
Track this for yourself
Tag transactions against rules like this one and see your running maaser balance.
MyMaaser presents sourced halachic positions and is not a substitute for your rav. Consult your rav (CYLOR).