Distressed maid given time to own up (5)
I believe the answer is:
admit
'own up' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'distressed maid given time' is the wordplay.
'distressed' indicates an anagram.
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'maid' anagrammed gives 'admi'.
'admi'+'t'='ADMIT'
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for admit that I've seen before include "Recognise" , "Stop being obstructive" , "permit to come in" , "Agree to the truth" , "Grant entry to" .)