These 3 States Will Pay Remote Workers to Become Residents

If you're a remote worker, moving to a new state could provide financial benefits.

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Being a permanent remote worker has many advantages. You can work from the comfort of your own home or anywhere that has internet access. Plus, there's no worry about long and expensive commutes, and you can often enjoy a better work-life balance.

Remote work is becoming more widespread. The pandemic has led many companies to adjust their workplace policies. And many employers plan to keep those changes after the pandemic. A study conducted by Gartner found that 82% of respondents plan to allow their employees to work remotely at least some of the time after returning to the workplace.

What's more, some states are now offering incentives to get remote workers to live and work in their area. Are you up for the adventure and want to put some extra money into your bank account in the process? Keep reading to learn about some of your options.

Oklahoma: Move to Tulsa and earn $10,000

Oklahoma wants to bring more people to Tulsa. The Tulsa Remote program offers remote workers a $10,000 grant and a one-year membership to a coworking space.

To be eligible, you'd need to meet these qualifications:

• Can move to Tulsa in 2021
• Able to work from anywhere
• Be at least 18 years old
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Be a full-time remote worker or be self-employed outside of Oklahoma

Here's how the $10,000 is paid out:

• You'll receive $2,500 upon relocation within the city limits
• You'll get 12 monthly payments of $500 each
• After you complete the program, you'll receive $1,500

If you plan to move to Tulsa and buy a home, there's another option. You can receive the $10,000 in one lump sum after purchasing your new home and completing the Tulsa Remote member orientation. If you want to join this program, you must plan to live in Tulsa for 12 consecutive months.

West Virginia: Get paid $12,000 to live and work in one of three places

West Virginia also has a new program for remote workers, and it's offering more than just cash. Ascend WV is taking applicants in 2021 and 2022.

Program participants will get the following:

• $12,000
• A free outdoor recreation package worth over $2,500
• Two years of free outdoor gear rentals
• Free access to a coworking space
• Access to social events and entrepreneurial programming

You must commit to living and working in West Virginia for two consecutive years to get all the perks and the entire $12,000. And you'll need to live in one of three areas -- Morgantown, Lewisburg, or Shepherdstown.

Here's a breakdown of how you'll receive that $12,000:

• The first $10,000 will be paid out in equal payments over twelve months.
• You'll get the remaining $2,000 after 24 consecutive months in the program.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Not yet living in the state
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a full-time job with verifiable income
• Be able to live and work remotely for a company outside of West Virginia

Since West Virginia offers plenty of outdoor adventures, this is a great opportunity for adventurous remote workers.

Alabama: Make the move to The Shoals and earn up to $10,000

Alabama is also incentivizing remote workers to make a move. The low-cost, creative community known as The Shoals is welcoming remote workers with a reward of up to $10,000. Cities in The Shoals community include Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia.

To be eligible for the Remote Shoals program, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Make a minimum annual income of $52,000
• Be a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside of Colbert and Lauderdale counties
• Able to move to The Shoals within six months

The exact reward amount you can get depends on your wages. Here's how much you can earn, depending on your income:

Program participants will need to live in The Shoals for 12 consecutive months. Here's how the incentive will be paid out throughout the year:

• 25% upon relocation within Lauderdale or Colbert counties
• 25% after residing and working remotely in The Sholes for six months
• 50% upon completion of the program

Be sure to look into each program's rules and eligibility requirements before applying. Some programs require participants to physically pick up their checks and spend a certain amount of time in the city or state. Follow all of the rules to maximize the amount of money you can make and the benefits you can get.

If you're a remote worker, consider being open to moving. You're not tied down to an office, so think about making a move to one of the most affordable cities in the United States or moving to a state that offers a remote worker incentive. If you want to maximize your savings, check out our personal finance resources for more tips.