According to a report from the LA Times, California ranks lowest in the US in percentage of those eligible for food stamps who actually sign up to receive the benefits. That's compared to the 80 to 90 percent of eligible people who typically sign up in other states. Federal money for food stamp benefits have been a major sticking point in negotiations over the new farm bill in Congress this summer. The cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 2012 was $74.6 billion.