Free At-Home COVID Tests Are Coming Back (Again)

Remember the postal service's free COVID test program, where they'd mail a box of tests to your house? It's making a comeback: Starting in "late September"—so, any day now—you'll be able to visit COVIDTests.gov and request a four-test package to be sent to your home, free of charge. These tests cover current variants, and will have expiration dates that are valid through at least the end of 2024.

(If you need a free test now and can't wait until the program restarts, the COVID test page urges you to "contact a HRSA-funded health center or ICATT location near you.")

Can I get the free COVID tests even if I got some before?

Yes, this is another round of offerings. You can get one four-test package per household, regardless of whether you have gotten free tests from the program before.

How soon will I receive the tests?

It’s not clear how long it will take the government to pack up and mail the tests, but once they’re on their way, they’ll arrive quickly—by first class mail for most of the U.S., and by Priority Mail for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses. If you enter an email address as you’re checking out, you’ll get a shipment notification and a tracking number when they ship.

Can I use my old COVID tests in the meantime?

Possibly! First, check your old tests for an expiration date. If they haven’t expired yet, you’re good. If the expiration date is in the past, though, don’t toss them just yet. First, check the FDA’s list of expiration date extensions for COVID tests.

Search for the brand name on that page. If the expiration date was extended, there will be a link to a PDF. Control-F to search in that document for the lot number, and you’ll be able to see the new expiration date. I have two different brands of test left over from the last round of free tests, and both had their expiration dates extended long enough that I’ll be able to use them this winter.

Will the tests work on current COVID variants?

Yes. Some tests perform better than others with the strains of the virus that are currently going around. The tests you can order from COVIDTests.gov are ones that can detect the currently circulating variants.

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