To start with help directly (2,5,4)

I believe the answer is:

at first hand

'directly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'to start with help' is the wordplay.
'to start with' becomes 'at first' (I've seen this before).
'help' becomes 'hand' (hand is a kind of help).
'atfirst'+'hand'='AT FIRST HAND'

(Other definitions for at first hand that I've seen before include "from personal experience" , "Starting bridge tournament" , "Directly" , "From the original source" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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