My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: New York.

I have a friend who is applying for unemployment benefits from the State of New York after losing her job. However, her previous employer does not want her to collect any benefits -- claiming that the state takes the money directly from his company. He also doesn't want his insurance to go up. (There is also a controversy over whether the termination was voluntary or involuntary...)

* If the insurance goes up, approximately what is the monetary difference?
* If my friend claims general "unemployment benefits," how does this effect the previous employer? How much will he have to pay, etc.?

Thanks.