Supporting poor parents from maaser — depends on the child's means
If you can comfortably afford to support a needy parent, doing so from maaser is strongly condemned (it is kibbud av from your own pocket). If you genuinely cannot, your tzedakah/maaser funds are the halachic measure of your duty and may be used. Ask your rav about your situation.
Positions by community
Ashkenazi
Rema YD 240:5: a child's duty to feed a poor parent is measured by what he is obligated to give to tzedakah; 'nevertheless, if his means suffice, a curse will come upon one who supports his father from his tzedakah money.'
Sephardi
Same codified rule.
Chabad
Same codified rule.
Sources
- https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Yoreh_De'ah.240.5 — Yoreh De'ah 240:5
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).