SCARBOROUGH – Many Maine veterans like George Dulac are getting a surprise in the mail. And it’s not a good one.

A software programming error means about 3,000 Mainers are getting bills for drug payments that were omitted from previous bills.

The average amount that was overlooked is $250 and the largest comes to around $1,000, said Jim Doherty, spokesman for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The problem was confined to Maine, but Doherty couldn’t explain exactly how the problem came about.

“There was a software problem. I don’t know the technical details of it,” he said. “I think the important thing on this is that there was a problem, it’s been resolved, and we’re trying to work with the vets.”

Dulac, an 80-year-old veteran of World War II and the Korean War, received a bill for $792. The letter sent to Dulac’s home stated that the VA’s software error led to the omission of pharmacy charges from customers’ bills dating back to February 2006.

“I almost had a heart attack when I saw that,” said Dulac, of Scarborough, who takes more than a dozen types of medication each day.

All four members of Maine’s congressional delegation are aware of the problem.

“It is unacceptable for Maine veterans to be penalized for the VA’s mistake, and I intend to work with the VA to resolve this situation for the benefit of our veterans as soon as possible,” Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe said in a statement.

Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, said he’ll be using his position on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs “to make sure that the VA has a plan to ensure that this error does not cause hardship for veterans in Maine and that this problem does not happen again.”

Dulac’s letter encouraged him to call the VA if the $792 bill caused financial hardship. The VA, it said, would consider establishing a monthly payment plan.