Crossword Puzzle Help minimally

Clue: Help minimally

There's no helping it (LOSTCAUSE with 9 letters)
Folk music scholar who helped popularize Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters (ALANLOMAX with 9 letters)
Helps in the worst way (ABETS with 5 letters)
Helper, in brief (ASST with 4 letters)
A pad helps protect it (PAW with 3 letters)
Cheater's helper (PONY with 4 letters)
Princess who helps out Link (ZELDA with 5 letters)
Mgrs.' helpers (ASSTS with 5 letters)
Be helpful to (AVAIL with 5 letters)
Gravy helping, perhaps (LADLEFUL with 8 letters)