What is the ruling on giving Zakat to an unemployed brother to cover his children's expenses, then governmental bodies undertake those expenses, with the Zakat money remaining in the brother's possession? And must it be reclaimed from him?

It is permissible to give Zakat (definition) to a brother who is unable to earn a living due to illness, and he is more deserving of it, as it is both charity (Sadaqah (definition)) and maintaining kinship ties (Silat al-Rahim). If he takes possession of it, or authorizes the questioner to keep it on his behalf, it becomes his property, and he is not required to return it if he becomes self-sufficient through it. However, if he is able to earn a living, it is not permissible to give him Zakat.