How does a hardship discharge work?

[mama23boys]

I'm writing on behalf of a close family friend who is almost 90. He had to file chapter 13 late last year. Up until that point he had been working (you'd never know he was almost 90!). The chap 13 was for him and his wife over 60 months (his wife does not work as she is also elderly). He was recently diagnosed and had surgery for a brain tumor which has left him very confused, poor eyesight, etc. There is no way that he will be going back to work. How hard is it to file a hardship discharge?