How To Order Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests From The Us Government

The U.S. federal government has reopened a popular program allowing households to order free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests. This initiative, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), is designed to ensure accessibility to testing supplies ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season. As of late September 2024, every household in the United States is eligible to receive a new set of tests at no cost, including shipping.

This round marks the seventh distribution of the program, which has delivered over 900 million tests directly to American residents since its inception in the winter of 2021. The current availability coincides with high levels of COVID-19 transmission reported in wastewater samples across the country and the spread of new variants, such as XEC. The tests being distributed are rapid antigen tests capable of detecting currently circulating variants, providing results in approximately 30 minutes.

Program Availability and Eligibility

The current offering of free COVID-19 tests became available on September 26, 2024. According to HHS statements, the tests will remain available for ordering through the end of the year, or until supplies are exhausted.

Eligibility for the program is broad: * One Order Per Household: Each residential address is eligible for one order. * Contents of Order: Each order consists of four individual at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. * Cost: There is no cost for the tests or for shipping.

The tests are intended for use by individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms and regardless of vaccination status. They are particularly recommended for use before gathering with family and friends during the upcoming holiday season.

How to Order the Tests

Consumers can order the tests exclusively through the official government website, COVIDTests.gov. The process is designed to be simple and secure.

1. Visit the Official Website: Navigate to COVIDTests.gov.
2. Complete the Request Form: The order form requires a name and a shipping address. No payment information, Social Security number, or credit card details are required.
3. Submit the Order: Once the form is submitted, the order is processed for shipment via the U.S. Postal Service.
4. Optional Updates: Users have the option to provide an email address to receive confirmation emails and tracking updates from the USPS regarding their shipment.

Shipping is free, and tests typically begin shipping the week following the order placement. For the September 2024 round, shipments were scheduled to begin the week of September 30.

Safety Warnings and Scam Prevention

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and government officials have issued warnings regarding scammers attempting to exploit the distribution of free tests. To avoid fraud, consumers should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Stick to Official Channels: Only order tests through COVIDTests.gov. When clicking the order link on this site, consumers are redirected to special.usps.com/testkits.
• Protect Personal Information: The government will not request credit card numbers, bank account information, or Social Security numbers to ship free tests. Anyone asking for this information is a scammer.
• Avoid Unsolicited Communications: Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages claiming to offer tests or expedited shipping. The government does not initiate contact via these methods to ask for personal information to "help" order kits.
• Report Fraud: Suspected scams should be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Test Expiration and Storage

Consumers are advised to check the expiration dates on any existing or newly received test kits. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the expiration dates for many COVID-19 test kits due to stability testing. Before discarding a kit because the printed date has passed, consumers should check the FDA's website to see if the expiration date has been extended.

Context and Public Health Background

The reopening of this program follows the end of the CDC’s Bridge Access Program in August 2024. That program provided free vaccines to underinsured and uninsured adults through pharmacies and local health centers. The current test distribution initiative serves as a complementary measure to maintain public access to COVID-19 resources during the respiratory virus season.

Public health experts emphasize that testing remains a vital tool in preventing the spread of infection. Despite mutations in the virus, the mode of transmission remains unchanged, making at-home testing a practical precaution for individuals and families.

Conclusion

The U.S. government is currently distributing a new round of free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests to households nationwide. With four tests available per address at no cost, this program offers a convenient and secure way for consumers to access testing supplies ahead of the winter season. Orders can be placed exclusively at COVIDTests.gov, and consumers are urged to remain vigilant against scammers requesting payment or sensitive personal information.

Sources

1. CNN
2. Today
3. USA Today
4. FTC Consumer Alerts
5. HIV.gov