Yes, the federal government is bringing back its free COVID-19 test program

In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the relaunch of its free COVID-19 test distribution program. This program allowed every household to order four additional free COVID-19 tests that were delivered by mail, but was suspended in March.

Multiple VERIFY readers, including Diane, reached out to ask if the government would be bringing back the program this fall.

THE QUESTION

Is the federal government bringing back its free COVID-19 test program this fall?

THE SOURCES

• COVIDTests.gov, a Department of Health and Human Services website
• U.S. Postal Service
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

THE ANSWER

Yes, the federal government is bringing back its free COVID-19 test program this fall.

WHAT WE FOUND

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that households will be able to order four additional free COVID-19 tests starting in late September.

A new message on the COVIDTests.gov website says “Coming soon! Order your free COVID-19 Tests at the end of September. U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov.”

While you won’t be able to choose what brand of COVID-19 tests you get, the HHS says that “All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests.” 

Some tests may have outdated expiration dates printed on the box. But these tests are still effective because the FDA extended the shelf life of the tests.  

The COVIDTests.gov website says the tests “will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.”

The last iteration of the free COVID-19 testing program ran from November 2023 until March 2024, when the CDC noted the U.S. was “seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19.”

Previously, tests were able to be ordered on the U.S. Postal Service’s website. All you have to do is submit your name and mailing address. You also have the option to submit your email to receive tracking updates. 

In addition to the tests being mailed out by the government, there are other free ways to get tested for COVID-19, including through community-based testing sites. 

HHS also says its “distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other community locations to ensure communities have widespread access to tests.” 

For more guidance on taking at-home COVID-19 tests, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares guidelines on its website.