Now that Amazon is an international company with over 100,000 employees worldwide, the company needs its workers to be able to move as well, but does it offer any assistance with relocation?
If you’re an Amazon employee, this guide will help explain what relocation options are available from Amazon, as well as how to take advantage of them!
Does Amazon Offer Relocation Assistance In 2024?
Amazon offers an employee relocation assistance program that pays between $20K-$40K to cover costs associated with moving expenses. Fees are payable either as a lump sum or over time in 2024. This program is a negotiable part of the new employee’s compensation package. Not only can it cover state-to-state relocation but also international moves.
If you’re a new Amazon employee and want to know other helpful information about Amazon relocation assistance, keep reading for more facts!
Does Amazon Offer Relocation Assistance for Employees?
If you have ever worked for a major company in the US, relocation assistance is probably fairly commonplace for employees transitioning to a new location.
It should be no surprise that Amazon offers relocation assistance to employees. Currently, Amazon offers two options for relocation assistance:
Option One: Lump Sum
Option Two: Relocation Package
What Is the Amazon Relocation Assistance Lump Sum?
In this case, employees receive a single payment that can be used to cover any moving expenses.
Often, this lump sum is around $20K at Amazon with some tax advantages included.
How Much Is the Average Amazon Relocation Package, and What Does It Include?
With Amazon relocation packages, new Amazon employees receive funds that cover fees associated with both the moving process as well as getting settled in a new location.
Some of the expenses covered by the Amazon relocation package include the following:
- travel expenses
- moving costs (moving vans, hiring a moving crew, etc.)
- temporary home rentals
- car rental
Depending on the distance moved, an Amazon employee receives between $20K to $40k.
Besides typical moving expenses like renting a moving van, this amount also included realtor assistance and several months of housing cost in most areas.
However, in areas with a higher cost of living, like Seattle, renters often have to downsize to make funds last longer.
Does Amazon Pay Relocation Assistance for International Moves?
In addition to state-to-state moves, Amazon also pays for relocation assistance for International moves.
According to past employees, besides paying up to $40K to help with relocation, Amazon will help with scheduling a flight to the US, setting up transportation, and finding a home.
Depending on seniority, additional cash allowance may be available to cover other incidental fees.
What Is the Process of Applying for Amazon Relocation Assistance?
Rather than simply filling out a form, relocation assistance requires new employees to ask for the offering from the company directly.
Most recommend that this be done in writing to create a paper trail to avoid misunderstandings.
Since relocation packages are negotiable, consider what your needs will be as you move and settle in at your new location.
Below is a sample email that could be sent to an Amazon recruiter regarding Amazon relocation assistance:
Subject: Relocation Costs
Good Morning [Their Name],
I am so excited to join the Amazon team and move to Frisco! After looking over the associated expenses of the move, unfortunately, I feel $20k will cover it.
Could we chat to review this and reassess it? Let me know a good time for you, and we will schedule a quick chat.
Warm Regards,
[Your Name]
Do Amazon Employees Have to Pay Back Relocation Assistance Costs?
When Amazon pays for a new employee to relocate, this is done with the expectation that the employee will remain with the company for an extended period of time.
Sometimes, situations occur where an employee regrets a move or is terminated from a position.
If an employee leaves the job before a year or fails to move, they must pay back the relocation fees at a prorated rate.
Is It Considered Bad for Employees to Ask for Relocation Assistance?
Although new Amazon employees may feel uncomfortable asking for relocation assistance, there is nothing wrong with asking if you have extenuating circumstances.
Keep in mind that relocation assistance is a part of an employee’s compensation package.
Since Amazon wants highly skilled employees, the company is willing to pay them well and help them get to the needed locations.
Therefore, Amazon’s desire to hire new employees should feel no shame asking for assistance as a worker.
However, remember to only ask for what is needed for the situation.
If a move requires $25K worth of assistance, an employee should not request $40K and pocket the difference.
In the end, misuse of funds would be far worse than asking for funds when needed.
If you want to learn more, you can also see our posts on the Amazon employee assistance program, Amazon employee discount, and Amazon training program.
Conclusion
In order to help new employees manage the strain of relocating while beginning a new job, Amazon has developed an employee relocation program to help them with the process.
With Amazon’s relocation assistance program, several packages are available to help employees cover expenses related to moving.
