Free At-Home COVID Tests Are Back

The postal service’s free COVID test program is officially back starting today, Monday, Sept. 25. Right now, you can visit COVIDTests.gov and request a four-test package to be sent to your home, free of charge.

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 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. If you want to see whether your old tests will still work, the FDA has a list here of tests that are expected to have “reduced performance” in detecting new strains. So far, only one brand of rapid test (Xtrava SPERA) made the list, so other brands are expected to work as usual.