It is permissible to directly ask Imam Hussain (a) if you recognize that:
1- Everything he has from Allah. He has special sustenance from Allah.
2- Allah has authorized him to intercede for people.
3- In no way do you see him as divine or the object of worship.
In the Ziyara of Imam Hussain (a) on night of Eid, there is a passage that states:
يا مولاي أتيتك خائفا " فآمني، وأتيتك مستجيرا " فأجرني وأتيتك فقيرا " فأغنني
Oh my master, I have…come to you poor so enrich me.
As you can see, here we are directly asking Imam Hussain (a).