Can Zakāt payments be made to the poor by payments in kind

Q. Cam Zakah be paid in kind?

A.

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب

There is a difference amongst jurists as to whether zakat has to be given from the same wealth for which it is liable.  E.g., if zakat is payable on wheat then whether wheat itself must be given as zakat or whether this can be replaced with another commodity or even cash.  The position of the Hanafi School is that payments in kind can be made whilst other schools either reject this entirely or allow it in some circumstances and not others or allow it with a degree of reprehensibility.  The Zakat Guide is, as stated in the guide, based on the Hanafi school as that represents the majority within the UK and is also more facilitating to meet the needs of the person giving zakat and those of the recipient.