Accessibility Help Home | Use the Keyboard to Navigate Screens


Use the Keyboard to Navigate Screens

Use these common keyboard commands to navigate web pages without a mouse. Some keystrokes may not work with every Internet browser.

IF you want to...
Move forward from link to link or to controls
Move backward from link to link or to controls
Select buttons
Navigate and select Radio Buttons
Select/deselect boxes
Move from box to box
Open a List Box
Read the prior screen
Read the next screen
Go to the top of the page
Go to the bottom of the page
Close the current window (in Internet Explorer)
THEN select...
Tab
Shift + Tab
Space Bar
Arrow
Spacebar
Tab
ALT + Down arrow
CTRL + Page Up
CTRL + Page Down
CTRL + Home
CTRL + End
CTRL + W

Caution: You can use the following selections to navigate through our web pages but you cannot use them in our Online Claims and Services pages.

IF you want to ...
Refresh the screen
Go back a page
Go forward a page
Navigate to & select the text in the address combo box
THEN select...
F5
ALT + Left Arrow
ALT + Right Arrow
ALT + D

Using Hotkeys or Access Keys

Most applications contain hotkeys to improve navigation and provide information. On many screens there is a continue button that allows you to go to the next page or a previous button to return to the prior page.

Other keyboard commands, hotkeys or access keys will vary based upon your type and version of browser.

You will find a list of these commands in the Help section of your browser. Locate the Help feature on the Menu bar of your browser or by using your keyboard F1 function key.

Use these common keyboard commands to navigate web pages without a mouse. Some keystrokes may not work with every Internet browser.

IF you want to...
Move forward from link to link or to controls
Move backward from link to link or to controls
Select buttons
Navigate and select Radio Buttons
Select/deselect boxes
Move from box to box
Open a List Box
Read the prior screen
Read the next screen
Go to the top of the page
Go to the bottom of the page
Close the current window (in Internet Explorer)
THEN select...
Tab
Shift + Tab
Space Bar
Arrow
Spacebar
Tab
ALT + Down arrow
CTRL + Page Up
CTRL + Page Down
CTRL + Home
CTRL + End
CTRL + W

Caution: You can use the following selections to navigate through our web pages but you cannot use them in our Online Claims and Services pages.

IF you want to ...
Refresh the screen
Go back a page
Go forward a page
Navigate to & select the text in the address combo box
THEN select...
F5
ALT + Left Arrow
ALT + Right Arrow
ALT + D

General Assistance

By calling 1-800-772-1213, you can use our automated telephone services to get recorded information and conduct some business 24 hours a day. If you cannot handle your business through our automated services, you can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Generally, you'll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. See Automated Services for more details.

Web Accessibility Problems

Please report website accessibility problems to the Social Security webmaster, webmaster@ssa.gov. In your message, include the website address or URL and the specific problems you have encountered.