There are warnings about the spread of the covid-19 virus along with the flu and the respiratory syncytial virus during the winter season. The US government is restarting a program that it canceled in September of 2022, and is once again offering free home rapid antigen tests to all US households. The government website states that orders will start shipping the week of December 19th.

It is very easy to place your order. You don't have to provide any financial information.

There is a website called COVIDTESTs.gov. You can order free at- home tests. You can go to special.usps.com/testkits if you don't see the button for any reason. If you would like to receive notifications, fill in your email address and shipping address. You can check out now by clicking on the green button. You will be asked to confirm your information in a pop-up window. Click on the green place my order button if everything is correct. If you enter your email address, you will receive an order number and a confirmation email with that number.

Web page from USPS headed “Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVIDp19 Tests” with a photo of hands holding a test and instructions for ordering.
The page for ordering tests also offers information on whether your old tests have really expired.

If you have ordered tests in the past, you may want to click on the link to see if they have expired. Some of the tests have been extended by the FDA.

If you have private health insurance, you can be reimbursed for up to 8 tests per month. The US Department of Health and Human Services website has more information.