The entire process of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits can be quite a hassle, as it requires the individual to make multiple rounds of the Social Security Administration. This process can be more tedious in case the individual’s health is deteriorating. If such is the case, hiring a Social Security disability lawyer will prove beneficial because they are more equipped to help their clients present their case with better precision.

A Social Security disability lawyer is a licensed professional who is extremely skilled at handling matters pertaining to Social Security Administration and can deal with issues that can arise during the application process. In addition to helping their clients with their Social Security Disability Benefits, a Social Security disability lawyer has to perform the following functions:

• A Social Security disability lawyer is responsible for collecting and documenting important information about the client. This includes important medical records and statements that are issued by qualified individuals. Such detailed documentation can help the client’s case. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can weave a compelling story around the case and develops strategies to help the client’s case.
• Applying for the Social Security Disability Benefits can be overwhelming, and Social Security disability lawyers help their clients complete the procedure without experiencing too many difficulties. They guide their clients through the online application process and ensure that the forms are filled correctly.
• It has been noted that less than 40% of the first-time applicants’ disability applications are approved at the initial level. So, in case, your case is rejected, you can hire a Social Security disability lawyer to file appeals against the denial of your application.
• The Social Security disability lawyer stays in touch with the Social Security Administration for updates on their client’s case. As there are numerous cases that pass through the Social Security Administration, there are high chances that your case might need regular follow-ups to reach a conclusive decision. Your Social Security disability lawyer is the one who communicates with the Administration on your behalf.
• The ultimate duty of a Social Security disability lawyer is to represent their client in court for their Social Security disability hearings. Usually, most claims are won at the hearing level itself, but if the client files an appeal when denied the disability benefits, their Social Security disability lawyer will accompany them to disability hearings that are quite stressful.

Popular types of printers and scanners that you must know about

With so many kinds of printers and scanners available, buying the one best for you can get slightly tricky. If you are a first-time buyer and do not have a fax or scanner machine, browsing through some multifunction printers may be a good idea. However, such a device may not be of utility to those who wish to buy printers and scanners only for occasional printing. For people with fewer printing needs, an inkjet printer may, therefore, be a more prudent choice. However, if you are part of an organization that requires regular prints in large quantities, you could look for laser printers and scanners. Since different types of printers are designed to fulfil different printing needs, it is essential that you only buy printers considering your requirements. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a list of some of the popular types of printers and scanners to watch out for:

• Multifunction printers
  As the name suggests, multifunction printers are devices that amalgamate various printing functions into a single all-in-one unit. Such a device is made to take care of all your printing, scanning, photocopying, and faxing needs. What makes these printers and scanners immensely popular is that they are available in such portable sizes that they can be accommodated onto even a small desk. Since they take up less room, these versatile and powerful machines are best for business owners who have space constraints. What’s more, multifunction printers and scanners are more economical than other printers in the long run. While these machines may seem more expensive than normal printers, these help lower running and functional costs.
• Inkjet printers and scanners
  Designed to print the document by spraying on the paper, inkjet printers are known to produce prints that have a resolution of 300 dots per inch. In some cases, inkjet printers and scanners can print with a resolution of 600 dots per inch. Inkjet printers, therefore, are best suited for printing reports and images. Inkjet printers and scanners are one of the most affordable devices that not only produce vivid colors but also deliver faster printing speeds. What’s more, these are one of the most user-friendly printers and scanners that make them an ideal device for business use.
• Laser printers
  Laser printers were designed in the 1960s by Xerox with the intent of utilizing a laser to print images into a copier. Since then, these printers are commonly used in large offices with heavy printing volumes. Laser printers and scanners are known to produce superior quality prints with a resolution of 600-1200 dots per inch. Since laser printers use toners in the form of black colored powder and not inks (that most printers use), these devices are extremely powerful in delivering better and brighter results. Some of the distinguishing features of laser printing include lighting-fast results, super-high resolution, smudge-free prints, massive volume printing, and the like. Apart from these, laser printers have better paper capacity, are more cost-efficient than Inkjets, and are highly reliable.
• Solid ink printers
  This unique, environment-friendly printing device uses an exclusive type of ink technology to increase overall printing quality. Such printers and scanners are made to reduce the expenses and save space on the packaging. By melting solid ink sticks during the process of printing, the printer delivers vibrant prints and high-quality tones.
• Dot-matrix (impact) printers
  These printers are usually the ones in which the printhead moves across the page that needs to be printed. These printers create characters or graphics with the use of a cluster of several pins. As the name suggests, such printers make utilize a series of dots to create characters or images. Since these printers have low-quality output, they are usually extremely cheap.

Plastic bags are one of the most versatile carry bags. They are also feasible for businesses since they are cheaper than paper and cloth bags. Compared to paper bags, plastic bags are stronger and resistant to water. Hence, many customers prefer to use plastic bags. Apart from using to carry groceries, plastic bags are also re-used by many to line their trash cans. However, once they are disposed of, plastic bags are serious environmental hazards. They do not degrade and accumulate over time and fill up landfills and waterbodies and choke drainage systems. Here are 5 ways in which plastic bags have been found to be harmful to the environment.

• Issues with landfill
  Plastic bags are difficult to recycle. Bags made from polyethylene can be recycled into new plastic bags, drainage pipes, composite lumber, or outside the fencing. However, the process of recycling requires that the plastic bag does not have any moisture; in order to be recycled, it is necessary that food or other water-based materials have not been stored in the plastic bags. This reduces the percentage of plastic bags that are recycled. The bags that do not undergo recycling accumulate on the landfills. This increases the volume of the landfill since the plastic bags take a very long time to decompose.
• Issues with waterways
  Plastic bags take nearly 400 to 1000 years to decompose. When plastic bags enter the waterbodies, they do not break down completely. They are converted to plastic dust, which is made of compounds knowns as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are bio-toxins. These toxins enter the food chain as plants and animals are exposed to the water containing PCBs.
• Issue with wildlife
  Plastic bags that are disposed into landfills or released in any way into the environment enter into the water bodies such as rivers, oceans, and tributaries. These floating plastic bags are mistaken for food by the aquatic animals. For instance, sea turtles that feed on jellyfish may mistake plastic bags for food since a floating plastic bag appears like a jellyfish. Once plastic bags enter their bodies, it affects their health since plastic cannot be digested. Small animals and birds get entangled in the floating plastic bags and often strangle to death.
• Issues with flooding
  Since plastic bags do not decompose or dissolve in water, they clog drains and sewers. This causes flooding since the normal flow of sewage water is blocked. This issue has been observed in a lot of developing countries.

danlsAlcatraz Iis situated in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco. It is one of the most renowned parks among the 400 national park units across the country.

Alcatraz tour tickets are sold 90 days before the tour dates. These tickets tend to be sold out fast; hence it is important to buy them as quickly as you can.

You can buy Alcatraz tour tickets in two ways:

• Individual Alcatraz tickets
• Combination Alcatraz tickets

It is confusing to decide between single Alcatraz tour tickets or combination Alcatraz tour tickets. Single Alcatraz tour tickets allow you to visit Alcatraz Island itself. The other option is to buy a package deal that involves visiting Alcatraz along with other activities and tourist attraction in San Francisco and other nearby regions.

Individual Alcatraz tickets
The first way of getting Alcatraz tours tickets is purchasing them through Alcatraz Cruises. It is the official dealer for passes for Alcatraz Island and the sole organization that runs ferries to the island.

You can buy Alcatraz tour tickets from Alcatraz Cruises in three ways:

• Through their website
• Through phone calls
• Directly purchasing tickets on location

It is advised not to overpay for Alcatraz tour tickets. Moreover, Alcatraz Cruises offers no discounts on these tickets. Apart from Alcatraz cruises, several other companies put individual Alcatraz tours tickets on sale. However, they do so at significantly higher prices. Buying these tickets from any other source is typically not advised.

Apart from the high prices, you cannot pick times and dates as you wish. Moreover, there is generally a huge line for exchanging vouchers for tickets.

These companies do not directly sell Alcatraz tour tickets. They take a considerably higher amount from a customer and then go the official website of Alcatraz Cruises to purchase the ticket on behalf of the customer.

There is a multitude of problems that you can face apart from paying a higher fee. Not only can you not see the times and dates available for the tour, but you also cannot download the ticket after the company has booked it for you, unlike Alcatraz Cruises.

So, to put it simply, you have to pay these companies to purchase tickets for an extra cost when you can do it yourself by taking out a few extra minutes of your time and saving those additional dollars.

It is better to visit the official website of Alcatraz Cruises and pay a lesser price for an authentic ticket. An additional benefit is that you will not have to stand in a queue at a ticket booth while boarding the ferry. You can simply get a printout of the ticket you have booked online and board the boat directly.

Combination tickets
The official dealer for Alcatraz tour tickets, Alcatraz Cruises sells tickets to tour companies that have been approved by them. These tour companies combine the tickets with the various tour offerings they have in the region.

Buying a package deal has two benefits. Firstly, it is easier to purchase Alcatraz tour tickets by buying a package deal. Secondly, buying a combination package can get you some really great deals.

This is the perfect option if you are looking to visit the Golden Gate Bridge or drop by Sausalito along with taking an Alcatraz tour.

While you still probably will not get a bargain or a discount on Alcatraz tour tickets, including other tours or attractions in your itinerary can be beneficial. Not only will it save money, but you will also get a variety of other experiences. Here is a list of some combination Alcatraz tours:

• Alcatraz & Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
  You can get a chance to visit most of the major sights in San Francisco by buying a 2-day ticket for the hop on hop off tour bus along with visiting Alcatraz. This deal will cost you around $139.99. You may get $10 off if you have booked the ticket online.

• Alcatraz plus a City Bus Tour
  This package allows you to visit Alcatraz and look at the sights of San Francisco. You can also make stops for photos at the Golden Gate Bridge and Park among many other sites. This entire tour happens in a single day and includes lunch and pickups directly from the hotel. With all these services, the price of the package comes to around $120.
• Alcatraz & Sailing on the Bay
  Not only do you get to see Alcatraz, but you also get a chance to sail in the bay. This tour takes you through the water offering a relaxing experience of soaking in great views and traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge. This entire package costs around $97.65.

Alcatraz is situated in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco. It is one of the most renowned parks among the 400 national park units across the country.

Alcatraz tour tickets are sold 90 days before the tour dates. These tickets tend to be sold out fast; hence it is important to buy them as quickly as you can.

You can buy Alcatraz tour tickets in two ways:

• Individual Alcatraz tickets
• Combination Alcatraz tickets

It is confusing to decide between single Alcatraz tour tickets or combination Alcatraz tour tickets. Single Alcatraz tour tickets allow you to visit Alcatraz Island itself. The other option is to buy a package deal that involves visiting Alcatraz along with other activities and tourist attraction in San Francisco and other nearby regions.

Individual Alcatraz tickets
The first way of getting Alcatraz tours tickets is purchasing them through Alcatraz Cruises. It is the official dealer for passes for Alcatraz Island and the sole organization that runs ferries to the island.

You can buy Alcatraz tour tickets from Alcatraz Cruises in three ways:

• Through their website
• Through phone calls
• Directly purchasing tickets on location

It is advised not to overpay for Alcatraz tour tickets. Moreover, Alcatraz Cruises offers no discounts on these tickets. Apart from Alcatraz cruises, several other companies put individual Alcatraz tours tickets on sale. However, they do so at significantly higher prices. Buying these tickets from any other source is typically not advised.

Apart from the high prices, you cannot pick times and dates as you wish. Moreover, there is generally a huge line for exchanging vouchers for tickets.

These companies do not directly sell Alcatraz tour tickets. They take a considerably higher amount from a customer and then go the official website of Alcatraz Cruises to purchase the ticket on behalf of the customer.

There is a multitude of problems that you can face apart from paying a higher fee. Not only can you not see the times and dates available for the tour, but you also cannot download the ticket after the company has booked it for you, unlike Alcatraz Cruises.

So, to put it simply, you have to pay these companies to purchase tickets for an extra cost when you can do it yourself by taking out a few extra minutes of your time and saving those additional dollars.

It is better to visit the official website of Alcatraz Cruises and pay a lesser price for an authentic ticket. An additional benefit is that you will not have to stand in a queue at a ticket booth while boarding the ferry. You can simply get a printout of the ticket you have booked online and board the boat directly.

Combination tickets
The official dealer for Alcatraz tour tickets, Alcatraz Cruises sells tickets to tour companies that have been approved by them. These tour companies combine the tickets with the various tour offerings they have in the region.

Buying a package deal has two benefits. Firstly, it is easier to purchase Alcatraz tour tickets by buying a package deal. Secondly, buying a combination package can get you some really great deals.

This is the perfect option if you are looking to visit the Golden Gate Bridge or drop by Sausalito along with taking an Alcatraz tour.

While you still probably will not get a bargain or a discount on Alcatraz tour tickets, including other tours or attractions in your itinerary can be beneficial. Not only will it save money, but you will also get a variety of other experiences. Here is a list of some combination Alcatraz tours:

• Alcatraz & Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
  You can get a chance to visit most of the major sights in San Francisco by buying a 2-day ticket for the hop on hop off tour bus along with visiting Alcatraz. This deal will cost you around $139.99. You may get $10 off if you have booked the ticket online.

• Alcatraz plus a City Bus Tour
  This package allows you to visit Alcatraz and look at the sights of San Francisco. You can also make stops for photos at the Golden Gate Bridge and Park among many other sites. This entire tour happens in a single day and includes lunch and pickups directly from the hotel. With all these services, the price of the package comes to around $120.
• Alcatraz & Sailing on the Bay
  Not only do you get to see Alcatraz, but you also get a chance to sail in the bay. This tour takes you through the water offering a relaxing experience of soaking in great views and traveling under the Golden Gate Bridge. This entire package costs around $97.65.

Home heating prices vary by region and is also a lot dependant on the type of home, the requirements to be met and budget in hand for installing or redoing the existing system and its future maintenance.
The market does offer a plethora of options to choose from. There is always a DIY up for grabs, which would cost anywhere between $1500-2500 including an efficient thermostat system for $200. Geothermal home heating systems seem to be the most expensive of the lot, costing anywhere between $20,000 to $25,000 just to install it. However, this system has been receiving ` raving reviews, making several Americans to turn their attention towards it.

While we always look at the price of the system as such, do we even bother to work on the maintenance cost just to keep the system running? The following statistics from Energy Information Administration (EIA), will indeed throw some light on this aspect:

Heating Oil $2800
Oil prices have risen so high that oil heat, once competitive with other major home-heating fuels, has become the most expensive to use. Prices are tied to world events, so they can change quickly. Nationally, only about 6 percent of homeowners use oil as their primary home heating source and they are predominantly from the northeast part of the country.

Propane $2200
Although it’s a relatively clean fuel, propane is expensive and has been losing popularity for years. The cost varies a lot by region. In the Midwest, heating a home with propane costs an average of only $1,534.

Electricity $1400
The use of electric heat is on the rise, even in the frosty Northeast. Cost is the main draw, although some homeowners complain that electric heat isn’t as efficient as other fuels. Nationally, about a third of the country rely on electricity as their primary heating source.

Natural Gas $1000
Of the four main fuels used to heat our homes, natural gas is the most popular and now the cheapest, as well. A decade ago, gas cost about 80 percent of an equivalent amount of oil; it now costs less than half of oil, as oil prices have risen and the countries boom in natural gas drilling has kept gas prices low. Nearly half of all homes use natural gas as their primary heating source. Some analysts forecast a huge supply of the fuel will be available for decades to come. However, not everyone believes the supply is so large that natural gas will continue to be a low-cost fuel.

Now that the cost to run your heating system is blatantly revealed, work your math and save up some money!

Most buyers face the dilemma of deciding on furniture brands, especially for their outdoors. Below are listed some of the best patio furniture providers in the USA. These patio furniture brands offer an array of elegant options which include – deep seating, lounge pieces, dining sets and much more. All these names guarantee the best quality pieces for the most affordable price.

• Big lots patio furniture: Big lots is a name that resonates with attractive furniture. It was founded on a blend of style and affordability. Big lots patio furniture is known for its durability and long-lasting finishes. You can select from a wide range of colors and styles. From contemporary designs to antique looks, the store has some of the best pieces in outdoor furnishing.
• Kingsley –Bate: The brand sources all its materials responsibly. They are known for teak patio furniture pieces. They have showcased remarkable designs in weather wicker and stainless steel. Casual Living Magazine has listed them as the best selling furniture brand in the USA.
• Hampton Bay: Hampton Bay patio furniture is often labeled as the best brand when it comes to cost and quality. The brand retails online through all the major shopping websites. They are known to sell furniture almost up to 75% discounts. The brand is guaranteed to meet all your outdoor decor needs.
• Tropitone: From hammocks, cushions, rocking chairs to patio umbrellas and chairs, tables and wicker furniture, Tropitone has all the essentials to turn your outdoor area into a space for relaxation and entertainment. Apart from looking good, these outdoor pieces can incredibly withstand all extreme climates. All the products are created under environment-friendly conditions.
• Brown Jordan: Based in Pasadena, California this furniture brand was started by Hubert Jordan and Robert Brown in 1954. They manufacture all-weather resistant patio furniture and offer exclusive styles and designs in vinyl lace and tubular aluminum, which go by the name “Leisure”. The company boasts of over thirty different collections which are sure to leave every buyer mesmerized.

You can find these brands on portals such as Kmart patio furniture and home depot patio doors section.