Is it permissible to give charity to a married woman who has children and whose husband is missing, so that she can support her children?

If a married woman is poor and her husband is also poor or absent and does not provide her with money, it is permissible to give her from Zakat. However, it is not permissible for her parents to give her from their Zakat if her maintenance is obligatory upon them, unless it is to pay off a debt she owes that is not related to maintenance, or if the father is unable to provide for her maintenance and possesses wealth subject to Zakat. Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen holds the view that it is permissible to give Zakat to a needy married daughter if the father is unable to provide for her and her children, and it is preferable to give it to her husband.