Is it permissible to give zakat to a sister to pay off her accumulated debts?

It is permissible to give zakat to one who is indebted due to lawful or unlawful causes, provided he has repented from the latter, and he cannot find the means to repay his debts. Such a person is considered among the 'gharimin' (those in debt) who are eligible to receive zakat. Giving it to relatives is more meritorious, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Charity given to a poor person is charity, but charity given to a relative is two-fold: charity and strengthening of kinship ties."