Free COVID-19 Tests are Back—Here's How to Request Them

Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.

The White House has announced a new contingency plan for potential COVID-19 surges this winter, and it includes giving free at-home antigen tests to all Americans. 

Households in the U.S. will once again be able to request four free at-home COVID tests, the Biden administration revealed on Thursday, Dec. 15, per the Associated Press. 

After the program was suspended in September following denied funding requests, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha confirmed that tests will once again be available to order online for free starting Thursday. 

The decision comes in the midst of rising COVID-19 cases, which spiked after the Thanksgiving holiday, and are expected to climb even higher with indoor gatherings and travel around Christmas and New Years. 

"We don't want this winter to look like last winter or the winter before," Jha said on Thursday. 

Four rapid virus tests per household can now be ordered through covidtests.gov, and will begin shipping out during the week of Dec. 19, free of charge. 

All you have to do to request your tests is enter your first and last name on the site, provide your email (if you wish to receive tracking notifications) as well as your shipping address.

While ordering your tests, keep in mind that there is a limit of one order per residential address. One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. 

For more information about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration tests, visit COVID.gov/tests. 

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) for assistance.