Ruling 1947
If a person who was not poor previously says he is poor now, in the event that confidence cannot be derived from what he says, zakat cannot be given to him.
-Ayatullah Sistani, Practical Laws of Islam, Alms Tax (Zakat)
Alms Tax: Zakat Based on a Claim of Poverty by Someone Previously Not Poor
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Ayatullah Sistani
