Testing is crucial for staying safe this fall, with COVID expected to surge. Don’t miss out—tests are valid until the end of 2024!
Program History
- Launched initially on January 18, 2022, a day earlier than announced
- Suspended in September 2022 to preserve test supply
- Relaunched on December 15, 2022
- Suspended again on May 11, 2023 when the COVID-19 public health emergency ended
- Relaunched on September 25, 2023 due to rising cases
Ordering Process
- American households can order free at-home COVID-19 test kits
- Orders are placed through a special form on the USPS website
- Users provide contact and shipping information
- Tests typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering
Test Availability
- Initially offered 4 free tests per household
- Expanded to 16 total tests through multiple rounds in 2022
- Recent relaunches have offered 4 tests per household
- As of August 2024, plans announced to distribute additional free tests in late September
Additional Features
- Provides information on test usage and result interpretation
- Offers alternate ordering options via phone
- Available in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Chinese)
Current Status
The Biden administration plans to relaunch the distribution of free at-home COVID-19 tests at the end of September 2024. This decision was made in response to increased COVID-19 cases in over two dozen states and the approaching fall respiratory virus season