The safety net that helps Americans with disabilities stay afloat

Like thousands of American workers who find themselves sidelined by illness or injury, Miller could no longer work. As in many jobs, if you don't work, you don't earn. Miller soon found himself in dire straits, both financially and in terms of his health. He had never accepted any kind of public assistance, but now he desperately needed help just to pay basic living expenses.



Miller knew nothing about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the federal program that provides financial support to millions of Americans unable to work because of injury or chronic illness. Learning about the program and securing benefits took months, but now Miller knows his monthly SSDI benefits will at least help him put food on the table.



"My benefits check is something I can count on every month," he says. "I know that I'll be able to eat and that I'll be able to stay in my house for another 30 days."



SSDI is an important part of our nation's Social Security system for disabled workers, retirees, dependents and survivors. Funded through payroll taxes, SSDI provides vital financial support for Americans with severe disabilities and chronic health conditions. Workers earn coverage for SSDI and other Social Security benefits through payroll tax contributions, and may only become eligible for benefits if they have earned coverage and their health prevents them from working.



Currently about 8 million Americans receive SSDI benefits. While the number of people receiving SSDI benefits has risen recently, the increase was expected, and experts say that influx will level off soon. Baby boomers reaching the disability-prone years of their 50s and 60s account for much of the increase. The growing number of women in the workforce also accounts for much of the rise, as they are now eligible for benefits in greater numbers than ever before. The rise in retirement age has also contributed to the increase.



Benefits are modest. On average, SSDI pays individuals just $1,132 a month and families just $1,919 a month. The requirements to qualify for benefits are very strict. Applicants must present extensive medical proof of significant disability. In fact, qualifying disabilities are so severe that about one in five men and one in six women receiving SSDI will die within five years of receiving benefits, and those eligible for benefits are three times more likely to die than other people their age, according to Kathy Ruffing of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.



Applying for SSDI benefits is a complex process, especially for people who are unfamiliar with how the system works or who are already dealing with significant illness or injury and the emotional and financial strain that accompanies poor health. Many people find that getting help from a disability advocate or lawyer can help ease the process and relieve some of the stress.



Securing approval for SSDI benefits took Miller 35 months. His experience is far from unique. Miller's disability meant that after spending his entire career taking care of the homes of others, he wasn't even able to perform needed maintenance on his own home. After nearly three years of waiting, he is finally able to use the benefits he earned while working on other peoples' homes, to hire someone to repair his own home. "I'd love to go out there today and work," he says. "Now I have to get someone else to do the work on my house that I had done for years."



To learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance and to find help navigating the application process, visit www.nosscr.org.

Cool ways to enjoy your outdoor spaces through the dog days of summer

(BPT) - When warm weather arrives, does your family head outdoors to enjoy your patio or deck? Do they then turn around and head right back into the air-conditioned comfort when summer sun and temperatures make outdoor living spaces too hot to handle?



"In many areas of the country, the window of opportunity for enjoying your outdoor space opens in spring and closes when summer's worst heat hits," says Mark Dammeyer, director of exterior products for Somfy Systems. "Strong sun, hot temperatures and high humidity can make spending time on your deck or patio too uncomfortable, no matter how much you love the outdoors. Homeowners are always looking for ways to get the most time in their outdoor living spaces."



If your deck time encompasses a month or two in spring and another in the fall, here are some ideas for how you can make your outdoor living spaces cooler, more comfortable and enjoyable all summer long:



Made in the shade



Fun in the sun is one of summer's best benefits, but too much sun can keep you off your deck or patio. Not only does direct sun make it too hot to sit out, sun exposure can damage your patio furnishings, the deck itself and your skin. Retractable awnings are a great - and great-looking - way to shield your outdoor living space from getting too much summer sun.



Awnings offer sun protection that can enable you to enjoy your deck more on sunny days, and can even help lower cooling bills by shading window and glass deck doors. Retractable awnings mean you can enjoy the benefits whenever you need them, and hide them when you don't. Somfy Systems' motorization solutions have made awnings even handier; a motorized retractable awning effortlessly retracts with a touch of a button. And, an optional sensor, such as the Eolis 3DWirefree (TM) RTS, can detect wind and automatically roll up your awning - even if you're not home. A Sunis WireFree (TM) RTS Sun Sensor can automatically extend your awning based on the sun's intensity. Simple innovative operating functions that adapt to your lifestyle.



Wet wins the day



When temperatures scorch, many of us head for the pool. Nothing cools and refreshes like a dip in the water. Adding a pool to your outdoor environment may not be practical, so look for smaller-scale options that can lend the cooling power of water to your deck or patio.



A simple outdoor fountain adds a splash of coolness and the soothing sound of moving water to your outdoor living space. Or, you can escalate your cooling efforts by installing a mister. You can find plenty of commercially available options that range from simple misting fans that connect to a garden hose to sophisticated systems that spread a light, refreshing spray over a large area. A simple online search will yield plenty of options, including some available at your neighborhood home improvement store.



Evaporative coolers are another great way to use moisture to cool the air. While indoor air conditioners draw excess moisture from the air to aid in cooling, evaporative coolers use simple physics to cool air through evaporation of water. These coolers draw the heat needed to evaporate water right out of the air - lowering the ambient temperature around the unit. Evaporative coolers work to cool the air the same way sweat works to cool off your body.



Cooler accessorizing



In addition to shade and moisture, choosing cooler accessories like lighter-colored furniture and solar lights (which don't give off heat like incandescents) can help keep your deck and patio cooler for longer this summer.



Look for furniture made of materials that will absorb less heat. That wrought-iron bistro set might look lovely on your deck, but it will heat up hot as a griddle when exposed to hours of summer sun. Fabrics and breathable materials like wicker will handle heat better than dark woods and metal.



The dog days of summer don't mean you have to give up your outdoor enjoyment. With the right combination of shade and cooling techniques, you can enjoy your deck or patio throughout the season.

Ideas for flooring in your home

Your home is your paradise and if you are planning to renovate your home, go for the changes that are not only eye-catching but also comfortable for you and your family. If you are going to change the flooring in your home, here are some tips for flooring the different parts of your house.



Bedroom flooring:



There are plenty options when it comes to flooring in your bedroom. Being the most private and personalized part of your home, your bedroom is the place which grabs a big part of your budget whenever you are remodeling. You can use carpet, tile, hardwood, bamboo, cork or laminate. Play with different materials in different rooms. You can opt for striped light and dark shades in your boy's room so that if your son is going to create mess, which is unavoidable, the flooring can withstand the burden. Also the flooring can bear heavy traffic of the folks coming in the bedroom. For more powerful scratch and water resistant flooring you can choose laminate.



Living room flooring:



It is the most used area and withstands most of the traffic coming in and out of the house. It is highly recommended that the flooring should be strong enough that it can endure all such amendments done with your furniture or to the increasing and decreasing ratio of visitors. For this purpose you can opt for hardwood flooring. Being classy and sophisticated in look it is the perfect choice for your living room whenever you are remodeling your home.



Kitchen flooring:



Design the floor of your kitchen in such a way that it not only looks pretty but also gives a practical impression. You can choose from vinyl, tile, natural stone, wood, cork or laminate. A floor covering that is water resistant and durable such as tile is a best choice to protect against potential water damage. Make sure when you choose your floor to order a little extra of the product in the event that you drop something like a pot on your floor. If the flooring material is damaged, you will be sure to have enough to repair the floor because often floor manufacturers have high turnover of their products to insure a continual buying cycle. Most flooring contractors add 5-10% additional square footage of the flooring product to their purchase order to insure they have enough for the project and to provide the client with a little extra flooring for future use.

Adore your front door: Three tips for beautiful wood doors in any climate

(BPT) - Your home's front door is more than a portal for family and friends - it makes a statement about your own personal style. Home designers often list the entry door as one of the most cost effective ways to dress up the front of your home for "wow" curb appeal.



"This Old House" magazine notes that since the front door is the first and last thing we touch when entering and leaving our homes, "it's easy to understand why many of us still like our doors to be made of wood - nothing else matches the material's warmth and satisfying heft."



"People choose wood entry doors first and foremost for their beauty; it's a fine piece of furniture on the front of your home," says Brad Loveless of Simpson Door Company.



For homeowners who enjoy the beauty of wood entry doors, options are now available to stand up to the harshest climates - from the wind-driven rains of Nantucket Island to the desert Southwest. The following are three ways to have the wood door you want and to ensure it will look great for years, no matter what the climate throws at it.



Bring your dreams to life



With doors available in hundreds of wood species, and numerous designs and glass options, it can be hard to envision how a particular door will look like on your home. Short of hiring an architect to make a sketch, most people have had to rely on their imaginations. Recently, easy-to-use, free online tools have become available to simplify the door selection process. They allow a homeowner to be sure before they buy.



Go for performance



People are used to looking for high performance when shopping for new cars or computers, but might not realize the same approach can apply to doors. Manufacturers have developed high-performance wood doors with superior weather resistance that last in the most demanding exposures, including coastal homes with no porch or roof overhang to protect the door.



One high-performance option to consider is choosing wood species that perform best in moist conditions, as this varies among wood types. Species that have been shown in laboratory testing to have natural moisture resistance include Douglas Fir, Black Locust, Nootka Cypress and Sapele Mahogany, among others.



Another performance option some manufacturers offer in their wood doors is water-resistant composite blocks within the bottom of the door, where water can infiltrate. Doors also are available with full exterior cladding to protect them from rain and sun, while retaining the beauty of wood inside the home.



A strong finish



With any door, whether made of wood, steel or fiberglass, it is crucial to finish it for long-lasting protection from the elements. Doors are sold either factory finished or unfinished. If unfinished, the door must be finished by the door dealer, a contractor or the homeowner. Manufacturers provide step-by-step instructions for best results from finishing, and those steps typically must be followed to ensure warranty requirements. Chief among these are to finish all six sides - front, back and all edges. As no wood surface should be left unfinished, finish should also be applied to the cut-outs for the handle and lock set, as well as any other openings, such as for mail slots or pet doors.



If the door is exposed to sun, it is generally better to use lighter color paints or stains as those absorb less heat from damaging UV rays.

Life insurance for kids: Long term benefits come from early investment

Being protective goes hand-in-hand with being a parent. From hand sanitizer gel to bike helmets to high-tech car seats, moms and dads will go to the ends of the earth to keep their little ones safe, sound and happy. But eventually, the scrapes and bruises no longer need a healing kiss, the training wheels come off the bike and the day comes when they're driving to school - not just high school, but college. You might be surprised, but there are actions you can take now that will protect them then - and even beyond.



It's not uncommon for new parents to consider adding life insurance coverage to the other policies that they carry, like car and health insurance. It can be a difficult thing to think about, but it's an added protection that will ensure that kids and the surviving spouse will be taken care of in the event that one parent dies. However, there are other ways in which a life insurance policy can make a difference for your child.

It might not be something that immediately comes to mind, but taking out a life insurance policy for your children could have lasting benefits for their financial future. However, doing so when they are still young could not only add up to cost savings over the long term, but better protection of their assets as they themselves get to an age at which they'll consider a family of their own.

In practical terms, giving your children the gift of a life insurance policy protects them from medical underwriting and high costs. You'll be establishing the coverage early enough that costs will be lower, particularly in the initial stage, and it can help to keep them manageable further down the road, depending on the plan.

Over the years, a life insurance policy can become an important part of your children's financial protection. And once they're at the right age to have the discussion about how to be financially responsible, it can be a helpful example, among other lessons like establishing good credit and smart spending habits.

Some insurance plans will allow your child to make changes as their life progresses, giving them the chance to increase coverage as they go through life's milestone events, like getting married, taking out a mortgage to buy a house and having children of their own. Premiums will naturally increase with added coverage, but the added costs associated with medical underwriting will be eliminated.

Looking out for your kids is an instinct that will never fade. As they grow, you'll help guide them on the right path in life, but at some point, they'll be off on their own. Giving them long-term protection when they're young will ensure that you're helping to watch out for them, long after they've left the nest.

Three home improvement tips to help you breathe easier

(BPT) - One in five Americans suffer from allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). As the allergy season begins, experts warn that it may be one of the worst in recent years, with people experiencing an unusually strong reaction due to increased tree pollen.



But little attention is paid to the impact of indoor air on allergies, asthma and general health. We spend an average of approximately 90 percent or more of our time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA reports that "indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher, and occasionally more than 100 times higher, than outdoor levels."



How does this impact your next home improvement project? A survey by Angie's List revealed Americans spend more than $300 billion annually on remodeling projects. Yet these endeavors typically focus solely on a home's aesthetics while ignoring one important consideration: Is your home healthy?



Start at the bottom



We all want beautiful floors in our homes. Many people, however, don't realize that some new flooring can threaten your indoor air quality. When flooring is installed, you may notice an odor for a few days or even weeks. The odor might mean noxious gases are emitting from the materials used during installation. And these emissions, particularly those resulting from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), could potentially have serious, long-term effects on your health - as well as an immediate impact on the health of family members with asthma or allergies.



The good news is gorgeous flooring options are now available that are certified "asthma and allergy friendly" by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Tarkett Flooring committed resources toward developing flooring solutions which help people breathe easier. The company's FiberFloor is the industry's only residential flooring currently certified by the AAFA. To earn this certification, the flooring underwent rigorous testing by the AAFA and successfully met the following criteria:



* Installation of the flooring does not result in elevated levels of chemicals.



* The flooring has a low capacity for retaining allergens.



* The recommended cleaning of the flooring will not result in exposure to airborne allergens.



Additionally, other flooring options offered by Tarkett, such as its luxury vinyl tiles and planks and laminates, are FloorScore-certified by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) together with Scientific Certification Systems for better indoor air quality.



Tarkett's "iSelect" program simplifies flooring options and introduces customers to an interactive, multi-faceted shopping experience.- The system begins with six inspirational color families: Champagne Celebrations, Hushed Conversations, Earthy Connections, Evening Receptions, Fireside Chats, and Warm Gatherings - each offering its own feel and color space to help you find the perfect floor to meet your design, durability and health needs while also coordinating with your existing furnishings and adjoining floors.



Spring for PVC-free accessories



Did you know that your shower curtain can be one of the greatest sources of noxious gas in your home? Many homeowners purchase PVC shower curtains and liners because of their functionality and ease of cleaning. However, according to "Practically Green," a website for people interested in green living, a recent study "found that 108 different volatile organic compounds, including those known to cause developmental, liver, nervous system, respiratory and reproductive damage, were released into indoor air by PVC shower curtains." Replacing current shower curtains and liners with PVC-free products are quick and inexpensive fixes that will make your bathrooms healthier for the whole family.



Manage mold and mildew



If you're noticing moisture or mold building up on your windows, have your home checked by an energy rater or a building analyst. To prevent moisture from getting in your windows, select windows made with double pane, insulated glass to create an insulating barrier and keep moisture, mildew or mold from developing. For added energy savings, you can opt for a Low Emissivity or "Lo-E" coating to keep heat from radiating beyond the side of the window where it originated. You'll save on your heating and air conditioning bills while also minding your health.



Home improvements should be a proud reminder that your home is your castle and you treat it well. This year, consider investing in simple projects that can also improve the health of the castle's residents.