Flukes in USPS system means some aren't able to get Biden's free at-home COVID tests
People across the country are struggling to order the free at-home COVID-19 tests that President Joe Biden promised to every U.S. household.
Yvette Mathews has lived in the West Ridge subdivision in Sanford for 12 years, so you can imagine her surprise when the United States Postal Service denied her order for free COVID tests.
She received a notice from the post office that said her home “is listed as a business address” in its system.
“I want to know what the post office is going to do about it," Mathews said.
Others have gotten a message that says tests have already been ordered to their address.
Mathews lives with her husband and has never had trouble with the post office. She wants her test in case she develops any symptoms.
“I already have my COVID-19 shot and booster, but just to have it," she said. "Anything free, I want it. That’s just me.”
The process was marketed as just as easy as going to one government website.
The federal government limits the number of tests people receive. Only four rapid antigen tests will be available for each address.
The tests take around seven to 12 days to arrive, so federal health officials recommend ordering them early and keeping them around in case you need them.
A spokesman for USPS said the postal service is seeing a limited number of case where addresses are not registered at multi-unit buildings, which could lead to difficult ordering the test kits.
Mathews filed a complaint with the USPS to change the records that show her home is a business.
“It is something they should fix right away," Mathews said.
A USPS spokesman said those needing assistance ordering the test kits could file a service request, or contact the USPS help desk at 1-800-ASK-USPS.
