He served in the United States Army as a corporal in Company M of the 22nd Kansas Volunteer Infantry from May 12, 1898, to November 3, 1898, during the Spanish–American War.

He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Marysville, Kansas from 1906 to 1913.

[1][2] Helvering was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for election in 1910 to the 62nd United States Congress.

[1][2] Helvering was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 14, 1943, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas vacated by Judge Richard Joseph Hopkins.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 28, 1943, and received his commission on October 11, 1943.