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Starting Monday, American households can now request four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government, although they may appear to have expired.

The U.S. government is once again rolling out free at-home COVID-19 testing for all Americans, offering four tests per household, delivered free by the United States Postal Service. However, consumers who receive the tests may find that they have an expired expiration date printed on them.

Government officials have noted that some of the tests introduced may appear to have expired but are still functional. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you get accurate results with your free at-home tests:

How to find the new expiration date

On an online frequently asked questions page, the FDA acknowledged that some tests in American homes may have exceeded their printed expiration dates. In most cases, the FDA advises against using expired tests. However, they have published an online list of different types of tests that have had their expiration dates extended.

A full list of tests and their expiration dates can be found here. Check the Expiration Date tab to see if your tests have an extended time period.

If the table for your test says “Expiry Date: See Carton Label,” the expiration date has not been extended. If there is a link to a new expiration date, click it, find the lot number on your test kit and confirm it in the file to find out the new expiration date for your tests.

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Skyla Butts, 59, of Southfield, said she just signed up for the next batch of free testing. Butts has received expired tests from the free trial program in the past. She was able to check the data herself after learning that the tests had an expired expiration date.

“Based on the tickets, I compared them with the list and found that they were still valid. You just have to be careful,” Butts said.

After ordering free tests this fall, Butts said she received a confirmation email with a link to the list of tests that were still valid despite the expiration date. If expired tests are on her doorstep, she knows where to look.

Although she will continue to use the tests, Butts wondered if they would be as accurate. She said she is always strict about food expiration dates and is hesitant to be more lax on COVID-19 tests with inconsistent expiration dates.

“I mean, what is this information based on?” Butts said. “Can we trust these expiration dates?”

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How does it work?

In an emailed statement, the FDA said that when many COVID-19 tests were first manufactured, studies suggested the products had a shorter shelf life than they did. Many test kits have these shorter expiration dates printed on them.

However, over the course of the studies, the test manufacturers have found that their products are just as effective over a longer period of time.

“COVID-19 test manufacturers are conducting studies to demonstrate how long after manufacture, COVID-19 tests perform as accurately as they did on the day the test was manufactured,” the FDA wrote, quoting from its frequently asked questions page.

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