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Act fast: Friday is the last day to order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government

Aug. 29, 2022
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4 min read
New York State Sends At-Home Covid-19 Tests To Contain Spread
Act fast: Friday is the last day to order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the government
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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

As of Sept. 2, American households will no longer be able to order free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests online through the government, so be sure to do so by then if you are still eligible to receive more tests.

Although these tests alone don’t meet the requirements outlined by most travel entities and countries with travel restrictions, you can use these tests for travel by purchasing an add-on virtual proctoring service.

As of Aug. 29, each household is eligible for up to 16 tests. If you haven't already received the maximum number, head to covid.gov/tests and click on “Order Free At-Home Tests,” as illustrated below.

Screenshot of homepage of ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests
COVID.GOV

From there, you'll be directed to the United States Postal Service to order the tests.

USPS homepage to order at-home COVID-19 tests
USPS.COM

Simply enter your contact and shipping information before selecting “Check Out Now.”

USPS.COM

Once you click on “Check Out Now,” you'll be asked to review your order to verify your shipping address and contact information is correct before hitting "Place My Order."

USPS.COM

After that, you should receive confirmation, via email and on screen from the USPS, explaining that the eight tests will be mailed in two packages of four tests, along with the subsequent tracking details related to each package.

USPS.COM

It may take a few minutes to receive a confirmation email.

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Related: How to save money on pricey rapid COVID-19 PCR tests

If you haven’t ordered tests from the U.S. government before, you can submit up to three orders per household, for a total of 16 tests.

The White House initially distributed 500 million tests in January, declaring that families were eligible to order up to four at-home tests in both January and February.

But as of Sept. 2, the government is suspending the free at-home COVID-19 test program "because Congress hasn't provided additional funding to replenish the nation's stockpile of tests," per a note on the online ordering portal.

Bottom line

U.S. public health officials are warning of a possible testing shortage this fall, which means you'll want to get ahead of that and order tests, such as the ones available from the government for free.

Remember that these tests can be used when traveling to countries that require incoming passengers to submit negative predeparture tests by purchasing an add-on proctored service, as TPG credit cards editor Senitra Horbrook detailed on a recent trip.

If you've already ordered the maximum number from the government's testing program, rest assured there are a variety of at-home proctored tests available for travelers, including Abbott’s BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test and Ellume’s COVID-19 Home Test.

Lastly, remember that you can submit the cost of these tests for reimbursement through major insurance plans.

For even more information on using at-home COVID-19 tests, read:

Featured photo by Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty Images.

Featured image by GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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