Crossword Genius

Stated handouts ultimately help (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

said

'stated' is the definition.
('say' can be a synonym of 'state')

'handouts ultimately help' is the wordplay.
'ultimately' indicates one should take the final letters.
'help' becomes 'aid' (synonyms).
The last letter of 'handouts' is 's'.
's'+'aid'='SAID'

(Other definitions for said that I've seen before include "Spoken" , "Remarked" , "Mentioned" , "Uttered at Suez port" , "Rumoured" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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