Receive four additional free COVID testing kits from the government

Get Ready to Order Your Free COVID-19 Testing Kits in Late September!

Are you eagerly waiting to get your hands on additional free COVID-19 testing kits? The good news is that starting late September, households will be able to order four more free COVID-19 tests to detect the current variants of the virus. This initiative is part of the relaunched program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which had previously been suspended in March.

Many of our VERIFY readers, like Diane, have been reaching out to ask about the return of this program for the fall season. So here’s the answer – yes, the federal government is bringing back its free COVID-19 test program this fall!

The Details You Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that households will soon be able to order their free COVID-19 tests. These tests will be FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests, capable of detecting current COVID-19 variants. Although you won’t have the option to choose the brand of tests, rest assured that all tests distributed through this program meet the required standards.

Some tests may have expiration dates printed on the box, but don’t worry – the FDA has extended the shelf life of these tests. So, they remain effective and can be used through the end of the year.

The last iteration of the free COVID-19 testing program saw significant success in reducing hospitalizations and deaths associated with the virus. Now, the government is taking steps to ensure widespread access to testing by distributing kits to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other community locations.

For those interested in getting tested at home, the CDC provides guidelines on its website. Additionally, there are community-based testing sites where you can get tested for free.

Stay updated on the latest developments regarding free testing kits by visiting the HHS website. Get ready to order your free COVID-19 testing kits at COVIDTests.gov by the end of September!