The noun assistance has 2 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (28) aid, assist, assistance, help -- (the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "he gave me an assist with the housework"; "could not walk without assistance"; "rescue party went to their aid"; "offered his help in unloading")
2. (3) aid, assistance, help -- (a resource; "visual aids in teaching"; "economic assistance to depressed areas")