Employee/friend very ill in hospital and not coming out soon. Options!

[burty b]

My employee who is also my best mate, is in hospital having had open heart surgery and has now had a stroke.
He rents a council house and his son and daughter who are in early twentys live with him and are working.
We have been told that he can not claim disability benefits or other benefits whilst in hospital.
Many different advice is being given.
also, he has just been accepted for a mortage on his house and it has all gone through and waiting of solicitors to complete.
I dont want him to have to live on sick benefit for the next few months
I would be prepared to "sack" him in order that he could get all the financial help he can get,
As I have said, he is a mate, so I only have his best intrests at heart.
So please dont think that this request is for my benefit.
All advice welcome

Cheers in advance.

[ULA]

I appreciate that you want to help your "best mate", given his current poor health, however he is an employee of your business, presumably under a contract of employment.

Can you confirm how long he has been an employee?