Is spending on family and a brother considered an act of charity, and does this charity suffice over giving to the poor?

Providing for one's family holds great merit and immense reward, and it is considered among the greatest acts of closeness to Allah if it is obligatory. Providing for poor and needy parents is obligatory by scholarly consensus. However, if they are not needy, then providing for them is an act of dutifulness, maintaining kinship ties, and charity. Charity given to relatives is superior due to the combination of charity and maintaining kinship ties, but this does not negate giving charity to other poor people, especially if they are more in need.