Is the aforementioned widow deserving of zakat, and is it permissible to collect zakat for her in a special account without her knowledge to purchase a house for her in the future?

The poor person eligible for zakat is one who does not find what suffices him and his dependents for the necessities of life for a year, which include food, drink, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Zakat is given to the poor to fulfill their needs and to lift them from poverty to self-sufficiency. No more than a year's sufficiency is given, unless there is a fear of their destitution thereafter. It is permissible to give the poor person from zakat to purchase a dwelling if they do not possess a dwelling sufficient for them and their family, and they are unable to secure one even through rent. The fact that the provider is a volunteer does not prevent giving zakat to the needy, as a volunteer may cease their provision at any time.