The federal government of the United States has reinstated a programme offering free, at-home COVID-19 test kits to households across the country. This initiative, administered through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aims to provide accessible testing supplies ahead of the fall and winter seasons. The tests are available to every household in the US, including US territories and military addresses. The programme is intended to help individuals test for the virus before visiting family and friends, particularly during the holiday season. It follows the conclusion of the CDC’s Bridge Access Programme, which provided free vaccines to underinsured and uninsured adults.
The tests offered are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorised at-home rapid antigen tests. They are designed to detect the dominant COVID-19 variants currently circulating and can be used by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Results are typically available within 30 minutes or less. The programme has distributed over 900 million tests to date since its inception in winter 2021. HHS has also stated that the programme aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and reach marginalised households, complementing ongoing distributions to long-term care facilities, senior housing, and community organisations.
Programme Details and Eligibility
The core of the programme is the online ordering system managed by the USPS. The official portal for ordering is COVIDTests.gov. When a user clicks to order, they are redirected to a secure USPS page at special.usps.com/testkits. The tests and shipping are provided completely free of charge. The process requires minimal information from the participant.
To place an order, a user must provide: * A name * A shipping address (a residential address or residential PO box is required; the programme does not ship to business addresses or allow for pickup at USPS locations) * An email address (optional, but recommended for receiving confirmation and delivery updates from the USPS)
The programme explicitly states that no financial information is required. Participants should never provide credit card details, bank account information, or Social Security numbers. Furthermore, the federal government will not call, text, or email individuals to request personal information to "help" them order kits. Any such contact is a scam. The programme is managed directly through the official government channels, and users are advised to start at COVIDTests.gov to avoid fraudulent sites.
One person per household is permitted to place a request. The tests are shipped directly to the provided address and should arrive within a few days, though there is no guarantee of the specific brand received. While the site notes that tests are FDA-authorised, users may receive brands such as iHealth, which is one of the commonly recommended tests.
Ordering Process and Common Issues
The ordering process is straightforward. Users should navigate directly to COVIDTests.gov. From there, they will be redirected to the USPS order page. The form requires the user’s name and address. It is advisable to use the USPS zip code search to ensure address accuracy. For apartment dwellers, entering the unit number in the same box as the address is recommended, rather than using a separate "Apt/Suite/Other" box. This helps the system recognise the address as residential. Some users in live-work buildings have encountered issues, as the system may classify these addresses as businesses, which would prevent shipment. In such cases, a service request may need to be filed.
Once the address information is entered, the user clicks the “Check Out Now” button. The order is then processed, and the user will receive a confirmation if an email address was provided. Shipping is free and handled by the USPS.
For individuals without internet access, the programme suggests that a friend or family member can fill out the order form on their behalf. Alternatively, they can call the COVID.gov helpline at 1-877-696-6775. However, it is noted that callers may experience long hold times. It is important to note that the USPS cannot place orders on behalf of callers; all orders must be processed through the official online portal or the helpline.
Test Usage and Expiration
The CDC recommends taking a test as soon as symptoms appear or within five days of potential exposure. For asymptomatic individuals who receive a negative result on their first test, a second test should be taken according to the manufacturer's instructions.
A common point of confusion concerns the expiration dates on test kits. Many kits that appear to be expired may actually have had their expiration dates extended by the FDA. Before discarding a kit based on the printed date, users should check the FDA’s website to verify the current expiration status for that specific kit.
Limitations and Additional Considerations
The programme has clear limitations. Once the initial allocation of four kits per household is used, there are no further free kits available through this federal channel. Individuals who need additional tests must purchase them. Furthermore, while some health insurance providers previously reimbursed the cost of at-home tests, this is not guaranteed as of 2024. Private insurance companies have discretion over reimbursement, so individuals are advised to check with their provider and save receipts if they purchase additional tests.
The tests are shipped only to residential addresses and residential PO boxes. They cannot be picked up at another location or held at a USPS facility for collection.
Conclusion
The federal government’s free COVID-19 test kit programme provides a valuable resource for US households to access at-home testing supplies at no cost. The process is designed to be simple and secure, requiring only a name and address. Participants are strongly advised to use the official COVIDTests.gov website to avoid scams and to never provide financial or sensitive personal information. The tests are FDA-authorised, effective against current variants, and can be used by vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals alike. While the programme offers four free kits per household, it does not cover subsequent purchases, and users should verify test expiration dates through the FDA. For the most current information and to place an order, individuals should visit the official government website.