Payroll item limits not working

I've set up a new payroll item and I need to set a maximum limit. It is dependant on different hourly rates so some employees have a higher limit than others. I've set up the maximum limit in the actual payroll item. Then I go to the individual and select the extra payroll item and give them individual limits. When I create a pay check though it only goes up to the limit I set in payroll item NOT the individual employees limit. What am I doing wrong??