BANGOR, Maine — Becky Saulnier is a U.S. military veteran who settled on a farm in Maine with her wife, where they raise animals and live what she describes as a "happy life." But behind that peaceful picture is a growing struggle to stay afloat.

“You’re living paycheck to paycheck,” Saulnier said. “There are some months where you just don’t know how you’re going to make it.”

Despite working constantly and limiting their energy use, Saulnier says their electric bill still hits around $600 per month.

That cost isn’t unique.

Maine Veterans Project director Doc Goodwin says electric bills are now the top reason veterans are reaching out for help. His nonprofit recently set aside $10,000 to assist with utilities, but it was gone almost immediately.

“If we dedicated every dime we had in th

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