tenant asking to lower the rent during lease time

Hi everyone, my tenant asking me to lower 20% of rent, which is a lot and kind of greedy, or he is seeking the option of breaking the lease. ( how ever I do know that he recently lost his job) 

Should I offer a 8% discount to keep him or should I just let him break the lease? ( he also seek for goverment help recently asking me to sign some sort of address and rent prove to nyc govement)

If i do provide him a 8% discount what's best way to tell him on text? 

thanks