The furious parent said she couldn't believe her eyes when she received the letter that warned it would be a "child protection concern" if she did not pay up.
Speaking to the Daily Post, the mum said: "I was seriously shocked to receive the letter and what angered me most was the tone of it.
"It could've been worded very differently without the threat to report me to social services.
"It's like criminalising poverty."
The self-employed mum, who did not want to be named, said that while she had previously been late in paying the bill for the meals at Ysgol Twm o'r Nant school in Denbigh, it was always paid.
She said that the bill had to be coordinated between herself and her ex-partner, meaning it could be difficult to keep track of.
Meals at the school cost £2.20 per day, with a bill of more than £20 outstanding meaning a student would not be given a school meal, or a basic sandwich.
But in the letter, the mum was warned: "Should you fail to pay for your child's meals or provide them with a packed lunch, this will be highlighted as a child protection concern.
"An instant referral will be made to Denbighshire's Social Services Children's team, who will then carry out an investigation into the circumstances around the lack of provision of food."
A WARNING: The letter from Denbighshire County Council received by the furious mum
"We have written to you on a number of occasions regarding overdue payment for school meals.
"You currently have an outstanding amount of £13.20 for meals taken at Ysgol Twm o'r Nant.
"Please be aware that from September 1 2017, Denbighshire County Council's catering team will no longer be reminding parents/carers of amounts owing.
"Under the council's procedure for collecting school meal arrears, once the outstanding amount reaches £20, your child will not be permitted to receive a meal until the debt is paid in full.
"Schools cannot provide lunch for children whose parents/carers owe £20 and above.
"Payment for school meals is a parental responsibility.
"Should you fail to pay for your child's meals or provide them with a packed lunch, this will be highlighted as a child protection concern.
"An instant referral will be made to Denbighshire's Social Services Children's team, who will then carry out an investigation into the circumstances around the lack of provision of food.
"If your school has the facility to pay online via Parent Pay you can log on and see meals taken and balance instantly or for schools who don't have online payment system, please contact the school admin for a balance.
"If you are currently having financial difficulties and require advice or support please contact us immediately."
A spokesman for Denbighshire Council said: "The welfare of our pupils is paramount and it is imperative that they either receive a school meal or are provided with a packed lunch.
"Parents or guardians who are in arrears with their school meals, receive an initial letter outlining the amount of the debt and offers parents a variety of ways to pay including a payment plan, if they are struggling financially.
“Parents or guardians are also given the opportunity to provide their child with a packed lunch until the arrears are met.
“If they fail to pay on this occasion, they receive a second and final letter, reminding the parents/guardians of their responsibility to ensure that their child/children are provided with a packed lunch, until the outstanding amount has been settled. The vast majority of parents pay on receipt of the first letter.
“Our aim is to avoid escalation of debt problems within families that may already be struggling, and for those that are entitled to free school meals, we assist them in applying for this benefit.
“The debt letters have been in our school meal debt policy since 2016, and were recently reviewed with the Head Teachers and School Business Managers.
“We do urge parents who have any concerns to contact us as soon as possible, in order that the authority can assist them.”
The Sun Online has contacted the school for comment.
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