The difference between 'help' and 'help out': To help someone is to assist in an action ,to give a hand . "Help me carry the box , it is too heavy." 'to help out ' someone is to assist them as well ,yet to get them out of a difficult situation ( many times financial ) or help them find a solution to a real problem , doing some of their work , looking after them etc... it could have different connotations depending on the context ! She helped him out and lent him the money . He helped his out son with the homework ( did some of it with him or helped him solve some equations etc ..)

Sometimes, the word "out" (as well as "up" and "off") in phrasal verbs suggests a completed action. So, there's some kind of result involved.