aid / assistance
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financial aid
Financial support or a subsidy granted by a state or public institution to cover certain costs. It is especially known as a subsidy for medical expenses for civil servants in Germany.
Als Beamtin erhält sie eine Beihilfe zu den Kosten für ärztliche Behandlungen.
As a civil servant, she receives financial aid toward the costs of medical treatment.
The word is made up of the prefix 'Bei-' and the noun 'Hilfe' (help). It describes help that is provided additionally or in support of something else.
Er hat Beihilfe zu seinen Krankheitskosten beantragt.
He applied for financial aid for his medical expenses.
The meaning depends strongly on context. In texts about finances, civil servants, or medical costs, it refers to financial support. In a legal context involving topics like the police or court, it refers to helping with a crime.
Als Beamter reicht er seine Rechnungen bei der Beihilfe ein.
As a civil servant, he submits his invoices to the financial aid office.
In connection with financial support, 'Beihilfe' (financial aid) is often used with verbs such as 'beantragen' (to apply for), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'gewähren' (to grant). You can also have 'Anspruch auf Beihilfe' (entitlement to financial aid).
Studierende aus einkommensschwachen Familien können eine Beihilfe zum Lebensunterhalt beantragen.
Students from low-income families can apply for financial aid for living expenses.
In the legal sense, the fixed expression is 'Beihilfe leisten' (to aid and abet). The crime being helped with is indicated with the preposition 'zu' and the dative.
Dem Angeklagten wird Beihilfe zur Steuerhinterziehung vorgeworfen.
The defendant is accused of aiding and abetting tax evasion.
support
'die Unterstützung' and 'die Beihilfe' can both mean help, especially when money is involved. 'Unterstützung' is general and neutral: it can be practical, moral, or financial. 'Beihilfe' is more specific. It often means official financial aid, for example toward certain costs. In addition, 'Beihilfe' has a special meaning in law: aiding and abetting a crime. For that reason, the word can sound very different from 'Unterstützung' in some sentences. If you mean ordinary help or support, 'Unterstützung' is usually safer. For official subsidies or in a legal context, 'Beihilfe' fits.
Frau Becker beantragt Beihilfe für die hohen Krankheitskosten.
Ms. Becker is applying for financial aid for the high medical costs.
Nach der Nachricht boten wir unserer Freundin sofort Unterstützung an.
After the news, we immediately offered our friend support.