Narrative:

Was asked for a break. While I was starting to give a briefing; the controller relieving me was told someone else was going to relieve me. I had aircraft X check in; climbed him to FL240. Aircraft X flashed to me at FL230. These aircraft were crossing traffic at cyn. I re-issued an amended altitude clearance to aircraft X to stop at FL220. I put a local int alt of FL220 on aircraft X. Aircraft Y was 8-10 mit (miles in trail) with aircraft X. I put int of FL240 on aircraft Y and local int of FL220 on the DB (data block) and climbed aircraft Y to FL220. I then proceeded with the briefing. As I was walking out; the relieving controller yelled over. I went to see what was going on; and aircraft Y appeared to climb through aircraft X. I am unaware if there was an RA or not; I was no longer listening to the frequency. I am certain I climbed aircraft Y to FL220. With all of the distractions with the government shutdown; not getting paid yet again; and the horrible morale throughout this building; I could have been distracted. I have not been sleeping well; if at all some nights; to the distractions of this shutdown. I have added stress at home; so to deal with our financial situations caused by missing multiple paychecks. It's caused a strain on my marriage; and with the rest of my family. This added stress has multiplied; exponentially; the already stressful environment and job we engage in everyday. It's very difficult for any of us to not have these horrible goings-on in our thoughts distracting us; but I am positive I climbed the AC to FL220. Having a distraction free environment.having the government not treat its employees' paychecks like bargaining tools in a hostage negation.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: New York Center Controllers reported a loss of separation; possibly due to miscommunication; stress and distractions from the government shutdown.

Narrative: Was asked for a break. While I was starting to give a briefing; the controller relieving me was told someone else was going to relieve me. I had Aircraft X check in; climbed him to FL240. Aircraft X flashed to me at FL230. These aircraft were crossing traffic at CYN. I re-issued an amended ALT clearance to Aircraft X to stop at FL220. I put a Local INT alt of FL220 on Aircraft X. Aircraft Y was 8-10 MIT (Miles in Trail) with Aircraft X. I put INT of FL240 on Aircraft Y and Local INT of FL220 on the DB (data block) and climbed Aircraft Y to FL220. I then proceeded with the briefing. As I was walking out; the relieving controller yelled over. I went to see what was going on; and Aircraft Y appeared to climb through Aircraft X. I am unaware if there was an RA or not; I was no longer listening to the frequency. I am certain I climbed Aircraft Y to FL220. With all of the distractions with the government shutdown; not getting paid yet again; and the horrible morale throughout this building; I could have been distracted. I have not been sleeping well; if at all some nights; to the distractions of this shutdown. I have added stress at home; so to deal with our financial situations caused by missing multiple paychecks. It's caused a strain on my marriage; and with the rest of my family. This added stress has multiplied; exponentially; the already stressful environment and job we engage in everyday. It's very difficult for any of us to not have these horrible goings-on in our thoughts distracting us; but I am positive I climbed the AC to FL220. Having a distraction free environment.Having the government not treat its employees' paychecks like bargaining tools in a hostage negation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.